Berwick, Nova Scotia, March 21, 2012 – Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians commuting along Berwick’s Commercial Street will enjoy safer and smoother trips thanks to improved roads in the downtown area, while the community will benefit from a more reliable wastewater collection system. Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, accompanied by Ramona Jennex, Minister of Education, and His Worship John Prall, Mayor of the Town of Berwick, participated in a ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the work.
Commercial Street has been transformed with new storm and sanitary sewers, curbs and gutters. Additionally, the road has been resurfaced, a portion of the sidewalk reconstructed, and bike lanes will be added.
“Our government’s top priority is the economy,” said MP Kerr, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Investing in infrastructure creates local jobs and strengthens the economy, and Canada’s Gas Tax Fund delivers stable, long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities and provides greater certainty for local infrastructure renewal.”
‘We are pleased to work with our federal and municipal partners to make life better for the citizens of Berwick with the improvements to Commercial Street,” said Minister Jennex, on behalf of John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “We are making strategic investments in infrastructure projects that make our communities safer and healthier, while creating good jobs and growing the economy.”
“The completion of the Commercial Street project has brought, not only significant improvements to our sewer system, but has substantially enhanced the appearance of Exit 15. The public has been very complimentary, and appreciative, with regard to the beautification of Commercial Street, especially in the way of curbing, sidewalks and bike lanes,” said Mayor Prall. “The town appreciates the support from both provincial and federal sources, Infrastructure Canada and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. This worthwhile project would not have been possible without their help.”
The Government of Canada contributed $126,032 to the renewal of Commercial Street through the Gas Tax Fund. Both the federal government and the Province of Nova Scotia each contributed $252,063 from the Building Canada Fund Communities Component and the Town of Berwick contributed $126,032. The total estimated cost of the project was $756,190.
Canada’s Gas Tax Fund is a key federal program which provides a stable, predictable and long-term source of infrastructure funding for municipalities. This program primarily supports capital projects such as water and wastewater infrastructure, local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Province of Nova Scotia receives $55.9 million in annual funding for municipal infrastructure. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment.
The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund helps smaller communities address their local infrastructure needs and priorities, and complements the Gas Tax Fund.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Susan D Mader-Zinck
Communications Advisor
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
902-722-1461
E-mail: madersd@gov.ns.ca
Mayor John Prall
902-538-4008
E-mail: mayor@town.berwick.ns.ca
