No. H 176/08
F or release - July 25, 2008
KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA - The governments of Canada and British Columbia are pleased to announce $42.8 million in funding for a highway project near Kamloops, British Columbia under the Building Canada infrastru cture Plan.
"This announcement shows that the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are working together effectively to help move people and goods in British Columbia," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "This funding will not only help promote economic development in this province but will contribute to the safety and efficiency of the highway system in British Columbia and the National Highway System as a whole."
This p roject consists of upgrading a 10.5 kilometre, 2-lane segment of the Trans-Canada Highway running through the Monte Creek to Pritchard area, 30 kilometres east of Kamloops. The upgrading to 4 lanes will bridge the gap between two existing 4-lane sections.
Of the total cost of the project, $42.8 million, approximately $16.7 million is being provided from the Building Canada Fund, a key component of the plan, and approximately $26.1 million is being provided from the Province of British Columbia.
"The Government of Canada is committed to improving transportation safety. Highway 1 has long been identified as a priority for upgrades, and this investment will complement the other important highway improvements that have been announced si nce the signing of the Building Canada agreement in B.C.," said Betty Hinton, MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.
"This priority project reflects our government's commitment to infrastructure investments and fosters a stronger economy and a cleaner environment," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "As part of Building Canada, we are investing in infrastructure that enhances safety, improves the flow of goods and people across the country, reduces congestion and cuts commuting times."
"This project is an excellent symbol of our strong partnership with the federal government on key infrastructure projects across the province," said the Honourable Ke vin Falcon, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure of British Columbia. "These Trans-Canada Highway upgrades will improve traffic flow, safety and efficiency through this important corridor, benefiting local residents, commercial traffic, and tourists."
"Converting this segment of the Trans-Canada Highway to 4 lanes will greatly enhance traffic flow," said the Honourable Kevin Krueger, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson and Minister of Small Business and Revenue of British Columbia. "Having a continuous four lane highway will benefit all vehicles travelling though the area, increasing safety and reducing delays."
"Expanding this stretch of highway will ensure safe and efficient travel for commercial transport through the area," said Claude Richmond, MLA for Kamloops. "This project addresses the growth in passenger vehicle and heavy truck traffic through this corridor, preventing future traffic congestion."
Federal funding for this project comes from the Building Canada Fund under the $33-billion Building Canada plan. Funding approval is conditional upon the Province of British Columbia completing an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and undertaking federal aboriginal consultations pursuant to Section 35 of the Constitution Act.
Through its unprecedented Building Canada plan, the federal government will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help mee t infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country. On November 6, 2007, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia signed an Infrastructure Framework Agreement under Building Canada worth $2.2 billion for infrastructure projects from 2007 to 2014.
For more information on the Building Canada plan, please visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.
A backgrounder with further information is attached.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Dave Crebo
Communications Director
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-387-7787
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Bobby Martin
Office of Betty Hinton, MP for Kamloops –
Thompson - Cariboo
613-995-6931
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
Th is news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the National Highway System in British Columbia, and its ability to handle the ever-increasing volumes of tourism and trade traffic. Along with the Province, Canada will fund impr ovements to ensure that the condition of the highway system remains consistent with national transportation standards for safety, as well as enhance the efficiency of operations.
These highway improvements are considered essential to increase th e safety of the road network in British Columbia and demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to developing world-class infrastructure for Canada and Canadians. The upgrades will reduce bottlenecks, and improve the flow of people and goods, p roviding benefits both regionally and nationally.
Federal funding for these improvements will come from the Building Canada Fund and the Base Funding Programs under the $33-billion Building Canada plan.
The Building Canada Fund advances n ational priorities that are important to all Canadians: a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and better communities, while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs. The national priority funding categories for the Building Canada Fund are: Core National Highway System, drinking water, wastewater, public transit, and green energy.
Other highway improvements will be supported through the Building Canada plan's Base Fund component, which provides $25 million per year to British Columbia through to 2014.
On November 6, 2007, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia signed a Framework Agreement that provides approximately $2.2 billion to the province through the federal government's Building Canada plan. This funding will be provided between 2007 and 2014, through various funds, such as the Gas Tax Fund, the Provincial/Territorial Base Funding and the Building Canada Fund.
July 2008
