Stratford, Ontario, July 28, 2010 – The City of Stratford is pleased to announce the completion of two road improvement projects, thanks to $575,000 from the federal Gas Tax Fund. These projects will benefit residents and tourists who visit Stratford to enjoy the Shakespeare Festival.
“The improvements made to the roads and sidewalks around Stratford serve as concrete reminders of what is made possible by the federal Gas Tax Fund, and how its contributions will serve the community for years to come,” said Gary Schellenberger, Member of Parliament for Perth-Wellington. “The Gas Tax Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to stimulate the economy and create jobs through investments in public infrastructure.”
The improvements to Lakeside Drive North and Parkview Drive include road and drainage upgrades from Festival Bridge to William Street and Martin Street, and from Ontario Street to Water Street. These improvements, along with the additional parking they provide, will allow Stratford to be better suited to receive festival-goers.
“The reconstruction of these roads will provide enhanced access to both our beautiful riverside views and the Festival Theatre,” said Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson. “The creation of two new parking areas as part of these road improvements will further allow both residents and tourists alike the opportunity to come and enjoy the beauty of Stratford’s park and trail system.”
“The federal Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in Ontario,” said Peter Hume, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). “The funding is supporting thousands of important infrastructure projects and is critical to job creation, Ontario’s competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides municipalities with a stable and predictable source of funding for environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions.
The Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund to 2014 resulting in $746 million in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. On April 23, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that Ontario received an advance payment of $373 million, which enables the province to allocate the Gas Tax funding sooner to municipalities, helping them make the most of the spring and summer construction seasons.
Under the Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is allocating $12 billion to infrastructure projects across the country. This is further complemented by a previous commitment of making the federal Gas Tax Fund permanent at $2 billion nationally as of 2014. From 2010 to 2014, the City of Stratford will receive more than $7.4 million from the Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.
For additional information:
James Kusie
Director of Issues Management
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700
Stratford City Hall
519-271-0250
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
