New bike lanes, improved pedestrian access and street lighting upgrades
Esquimalt, British Columbia, March 8, 2013 – Improvements to Admirals Road in Esquimalt will enhance safety and access for all modes of transportation. The project will proceed thanks to a $2.8 million contribution from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund transfer for municipal infrastructure priorities.
"These upgrades will improve safety for local residents and make it easier for members of the Canadian Armed Forces to cycle to work at CFB Esquimalt,"
said the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Delta–Richmond East. "Our Government is proud to invest in this project that will create local jobs and support the needs of workers and families in Esquimalt for years to come."
The project will improve this busy commuter route between Maplebank Road and Lyall Street with the addition of bike lanes, a two-way left turn lane, median islands, and street lighting upgrades. Sidewalks will also be improved to facilitate pedestrian access. The project will also help to protect local waterways with the installation of stormwater treatment devices and the separation of combined manholes for storm and sanitary collection systems.
The Township will be seeking public input into the design of the project in the coming months.
"This project is important for Esquimalt and the entire region,"
said Esquimalt Mayor Barbara Desjardins. "Admirals Road is a regional commuter route used by the Canadian Forces Base personnel, shipyard employees, and flow-through traffic in both directions. We are thankful to the Government of Canada for providing 100 per cent funding for the project, and we look forward to using these funds to create a safer and more efficient corridor for all users."
"The Gas Tax Fund supports local governments in developing sustainable infrastructure that contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner water and better transit,"
said Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. "This road improvement project is an important part of helping the community meet their Climate Action Charter commitments."
"Esquimalt has set ambitious targets to increase the capacity of roadways for multiple types of transportation,"
said Union of British Columbia Municipalities President Mary Sjostrom. "I am glad to see the financial support provided by the federal government for these improvements."
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in infrastructure. Through the Gas Tax Fund alone, municipalities across the country have received over $10 billion in transfers for local priority initiatives. Making this fund permanent at $2 billion annually was part of Canada's Economic Action Plan – a plan to help create good jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.
Between 2006 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than $1.56 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For more information:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Barbara Desjardins
Mayor of Esquimalt
250-883-1944
Ritchie Morrison
Communications Coordinator
Township of Esquimalt
250-414-7122
Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-953-3677
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
