Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, October 15, 2010 – Prince Edward Island drivers will have a smoother, safer drive as they travel on the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway, thanks to a partnership between the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Ron MacKinley, Provincial Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, today celebrated the completion of construction on the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway (Phase 2) project, which began construction in the spring of this year.
The project included upgrades and expansion on the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway from the Murchison Lane to Park Street intersection. This stretch of highway was reconstructed and expanded from a two-lane cross section to four lanes. Improvements were also be made to the Exhibition Drive and Garfield Street intersections as well as the Northridge/St. Peter's Road intersection. Expansion of the highway will improve traffic flow during heavy volume periods improving greenhouse gas emissions in the process.
"Our highways are vital to our public infrastructure and to the safety of our communities," said Minister Shea. "Our Government understands the importance of these investments to support and strengthen the safety and economic security of Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island."
"The improvements made at Riverside Drive will help improve efficiency along this very busy section of highway," said Minister MacKinley. "It serves as a great example of what can be accomplished when the federal and provincial governments work together to improve highway infrastructure."
On June 4, the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island announced $6.5 million in funding to support this highway expansion project. The Government of Canada is contributing half of the total costs under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a matching contribution from the Province of Prince Edward Island through Build PEI.
Also highlighted today was the completion of construction on the Stratford Trans Canada Highway expansion project. This project increased access on the main route from Stratford to Charlottetown and included 1.5 km of highway widening between the Hillsborough Bridge and Clinton Avenue. Improvements to asphalt of existing lanes also increased the highway's structural strength and extend the life span of this important transportation route.
The federal and provincial governments previously announced up to $1.3 million in funding to support this highway expansion project. The Government of Canada is contributing half of the total costs under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund with a matching contribution from the Province of Prince Edward Island through Build PEI.
As part of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding for close to 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country.
Canada and Prince Edward Island are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently to municipalities in Prince Edward Island. In Prince Edward Island, some 18 projects, totaling a federal investment of over $16 million, have been approved since the launch of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
For more information, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To learn more about capital projects on Prince Edward Island visit www.buildpei.ca
Contacts:
John Babcock
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
OR Toll-free
1-877-250-7154
Andrew Sprague
Communications Officer
PEI Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
902-368-5112
