Peterborough, Ontario, November 23, 2012 – Families and businesses in Peterborough will soon benefit from major improvements to Highway 7, thanks to a joint funding initiative announced today by the governments of Canada and Ontario.
The initiative will make travel along Highway 7 in the Peterborough area safer and more efficient for motorists by realigning the highway, improving intersections, and replacing a bridge over the Canadian National Railway that is reaching the end of its lifespan.
"Infrastructure investments strengthen communities and are an important driver of economic growth and job creation in Canada,"
said Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough. "Our government is proud to invest in this initiative which will ensure smoother travel for residents of Peterborough and motorists passing through our great city."
"Safe, modern and efficient highway infrastructure is key to connecting workers with jobs, products with markets, and travellers with destinations,"
said Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock."Our government will continue to deliver long-term infrastructure funding to support job creation and economic growth in Ontario and across Canada."
"Our government knows the importance of investments in core infrastructure like roads and bridges,"
said Jeff Leal, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough. "Investments in Highway 7 will have benefits immediately and in the future, including local job creation and improved intersections that will mean increased safety for motorists."
The governments of Canada and Ontario today announced this initiative will receive a joint investment of up to $8.8 million towards total eligible costs. This initiative was identified as a funding priority in Ontario's 2012-13 Provincial-Territorial Base Fund Capital Plan.
On November 5, 2012, the Honourable Denis Lebel and the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation, announced investments of up to $113.2 million and $111.2 million respectively, towards 19 new infrastructure initiatives across the province under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund.
Under the Building Canada plan, Canada and Ontario have partnered to provide strategic funding for priority infrastructure needs. Through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, the Government of Canada is providing $175 million to strengthen infrastructure in Ontario.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit www.ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
David Salter
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario
416-327-1815
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154