No. H 192/08
For release - August 15, 2008
SAG UENAY - The governments of Canada and Quebec are today announcing the opening of a rebuilt 4-lane divided stretch of Highway 175 between km 208 and km 213, near the northern boundary of the Laurentian Wildlife Reserve, and between km 219 and 227, at the entrance of Saguenay.
These sections, totalling 13 kilometres, add to previously rebuilt 4-lane stretches, bringing the total to 46 km, as follows:
- from km 53.4 to km 60
- from km 166 to km 167
- from km 84 to km 86
- from km 190 to km 197
- from km 124 to km 135
- from km 208 to km 227
"The Govern ment of Canada is pleased to be contributing to the twinning of Highway 175," said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "This major investme nt on an important highway link will contribute to the region's socio-economic development and improve safety for road users between Quebec City and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean."
By late 2008, over 60 km of 4-lane divided highway will b e complete. "We are pleased to see that work on Highway 175 is progressing well. These investments clearly demonstrate our government's desire for an effective road system that is in good condition. The work completed on Highway 175 will improve road safety," said Quebec Minister of Transport Julie Boulet.
The opening of this stretch of road is part of the project to rebuild Highways 73/175 between Quebec City and Saguenay, from km 53.4 to km 227. The governments of Canada and Quebe c are each committed to contributing $262.5M to the first phase of funding for this project.
The work being done on Highways 73 and 175, which link Quebec City to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area, will completely transform these roads over a distance of 174 km. There will now be four lanes separated by a median strip.
There have never been as many highway construction sites in Quebec as there are this year. Drivers are therefore asked to exercise care when approaching these sites. Plan your travel by calling Inforoutière at 1 888 355-0511 or by visiting the Quebec Department of Transport Website at www.inforoutiere.qc.ca.
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