No. H 240/08
For release - December 15, 2008
ST. STEPHEN, NEW BRUNSWICK - The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Shawn Graham, Premier of New Brunswick, and the Honourable Denis Landry, Minister of Transportation, officially opened a new 23-kilometre section of highway at a ceremony in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. This upgrade, with investments from both the federal and provincial governments, is another investment leading to the completion of the first new border crossing to the United States in Atlantic Canada in 30 years.
"Our government is investing in infrastructure to create a better network of highways to encourage job creation and to promote a strong working economy with our neighbours from the South," said Minister Thompson. "Our partnership in the completion of Route 1 serves as another example of how we are getting things done for Canadians."
The newly constructed highway section is part of a larger project to complete the twinning and rehabilitation of Route 1, the construction of a new border crossing facility and a new international bridge between St. Stephen and Calais. Twenty-three kilometres of four-lane highway on Route 1 between Church Street (St. Stephen) and Route 127 (Waweig River) were opened to traffic today. The international bridge is expected to be open in summer 2009.
"The completion of this highway is another Charter for Change commitment that will bring forth very tangible results," said Premier Graham. "It is an example of our self-sufficiency agenda at work, investing in strategic infrastructure between Calais-St. Stephen and Saint John that will develop the New Brunswick Energy Hub and make our province more competitive."
"This project represents the kind of collaboration that is necessary to make our highways safer while also creating economic development opportunities," said Minister Landry. This major undertaking reflects a positive relationship between our governments that is making a difference for people and communities."
The St. Stephen bypass project will significantly reduce congestion inside the urban area and at the existing local border. It will also modernize the Canada-U.S. border through improved infrastructure, new technology and shared information for safe and efficient movement of goods and people.
The federal government has contributed $30 million towards the St. Stephen bypass project through the $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund. The fund provides financial assistance for infrastructure projects that reduce border congestion, improve the flow of goods and services, and expand existing infrastructure.
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Contacts:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Marie-Andrée Bolduc
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier of New Brunswick
506-444-2286
Andrew Holland
Director of Communications
New Brunswick Department of Transportation
506-453-5634
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.
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