Projects provide vital link and promote pedestrian safety
Sparwood, British Columbia, May 11, 2012 – Sparwood residents now have a safer way to get around their community thanks to a joint investment by the governments of Canada, British Columbia and the District of Sparwood to construct a new pedestrian bridge, overpass and trail.
Dignitaries celebrated the completion of the Iron Rails Overpass and Elk River Bridge at an official ribbon-cutting ceremony during the annual Walk with the Mayor and Move for Health Day.
“Infrastructure investments strengthen communities and are an important driver of economic growth and job creation in Canada,” said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay – Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is proud to invest in this project which provides a safe crossing over the CPR rail-line for the families and residents of Sparwood.”
“This infrastructure provides the community with a safer and cleaner transportation option that will also create more opportunities for walking and cycling, a good way for folks to stay healthy,” said Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East. “Thanks to funding partnerships, Sparwood benefits from significant upgrades sooner than would otherwise be possible.”
“The District of Sparwood is thrilled to see the completion of the Iron Rails Overpass and the Elk River Bridge which now links Sparwood Heights to the town centre,” said Lois Halko, Mayor of the District of Sparwood. “This new link not only provides our residents with a safe way to cross the CPR rail-line, it also provides a vital pedestrian link within our community and opens up access to a new park area which Sparwood is now working on developing.”
The new 116-meter Elk River Bridge, 37.5-metre overpass, and 500-metre trail join the two main population centres of Sparwood – previously split by the Elk River and Michel Creek. The projects allow residents to cross the railway line safely, and shorten the walking distance between the two sections of Sparwood from five to 1.6 kilometres. The new bridge has also allowed Sparwood to remove water and sewer lines from the Elk River riverbed, solving ongoing environmental concerns.
The governments of Canada, British Columbia and the District of Sparwood each committed $707,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the Iron Rails Overpass. Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada invested over $505 million in more than 440 projects across British Columbia.
An additional $53,000 from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund (GTF) supported the Iron Rails Overpass and just over $115,000 from the GTF supported the Elk River Bridge. The Government of British Columbia also contributed $1 million from the LocalMotion program and $400,000 from the Towns for Tomorrow program toward the Elk River Bridge and water and sewer mains. The District of Sparwood provided $2,142,877 toward the remaining project costs for both projects.
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, legislation was passed that made the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion.
“Sparwood’s bridge and overpass project demonstrates the importance of infrastructure funding for smaller communities,” said UBCM President Heath Slee. “Thanks to the support provided by the federal and provincial government, residents are seeing this project completed sooner and with a reduced impact on local property taxpayers.”
British Columbia’s Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion programs have assisted communities since 2007 and are now fully committed. Towns for Tomorrow invested close to $70 million in smaller communities, from improving local water systems and rehabilitating sewers to upgrading area recreation centres and developing neighbourhood parks. Through LocalMotion, communities have benefitted with funding for up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs towards pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, promoting healthier, more accessible communities while creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
For further information on Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of British Columbia Municipalities
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Terry Melcer, CAO
District of Sparwood
250-425-6271
Jeff Rud
Director of Communications
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-953-3677
