Johnstown, Ontario, January 22, 2013 – Motorists will soon benefit from improvements to Highway 16 in the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal thanks to a $2.8-million joint initiative announced today by the governments of Canada and Ontario.
This funding will extend the lifespan of the Canadian National (CN) Rail Overhead bridge in Johnstown by up to 40 years. Construction is expected to begin in 2014.
"Modern and efficient highway infrastructure connects workers with jobs, products with markets and travellers with destinations,"
said Gord Brown, MP for Leeds–Grenville, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Our Government is proud to invest in this initiative which will create jobs and ensure safer travel for Johnstown residents and visitors."
"Highway 16 is an important link between Highway 401 and the international border crossing at Johnstown,"
said Grant Crack, MPP for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell. "The renovations to this CN Rail Overhead bridge will ensure this route remains safe and efficient for local families, commercial traffic and travellers for decades to come."
This is one of 44 initiatives receiving funding through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, where the Government of Canada is providing $175 million to strengthen infrastructure in Ontario. Ontario is contributing $173 million to these initiatives.
Canada's Economic Action Plan promotes new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 922,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
These investments also support Building Together, the Government of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario's economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada's web site.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure web site.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Philip Donelson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario
416-327-9236
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
