New Underpass Will Improve Safety And Traffic Flow
Milton, Ontario, April 27, 2012 – The Town of Milton has started construction on the Main Street Grade Separation project, funded in part through Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.
“Our Government is proud to invest in this new underpass that will reduce traffic congestion in Milton’s downtown core and make travel safer and faster,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Halton. “Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation, and we are continuing to deliver long-term funding to support key infrastructure improvements in Ontario, and across Canada.”
“The Main Street Grade Separation is a crucial project that will help improve traffic flow on one of urban Milton’s principal roadways,” said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. “On behalf of Milton Council and staff, I would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors of Milton in advance for their patience during the construction period.”
In 2007, Milton Council identified the need to eliminate the level crossing of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks at Main Street East, just east of Ontario Street. Building an underpass will improve air quality due to the elimination of idling vehicles, increase traffic flow on Main Street and allow for better access to the downtown business area and central business district, as commercial development continues to increase downtown.
While construction is already underway, the Town is preparing for a busy construction season ahead in 2012. Main Street East will remain open during the entire construction period, with lanes restricted from the Milton Mall Entrance to Wilson Drive from early April and continuing for approximately 24 months. Occasional weekend closures will take place throughout the construction, the first of which are expected in May 2012 to facilitate relocation of the CPR tracks.
The Town of Milton is using over $2.8 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation toward this approximately $49 million project.
"Canada's Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in our municipalities," said Gary McNamara, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Stable and predictable, the Gas Tax Fund is supporting long-term investment in local priority projects right across Ontario."
The Government of Canada is focused on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth, and investing in infrastructure is an important part of this strategy. Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, water treatment, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year.
The Government of Canada, through the Gas Tax Fund alone, provides $746 million in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. Between 2010 and 2014, the Town of Milton will receive over $6.6 million from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.
For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in Ontario, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
Members of the public can stay informed about lane restrictions, temporary road closures, alternate routes and project updates by subscribing to an e-newsletter called “On Track” at www.milton.ca, by visiting the Town’s website and through notices in the local newspaper.
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For additional information, please contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Liliana Busnello
Town of Milton
905-878-7252, ext. 2154
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
