Abbotsford, British Columbia, March 28, 2013 – A major upgrade to Highway 11 south of Highway 1 will relieve congestion and support cross-border travel and trade, while improving safety along this important road and rail corridor.
The NEXUS lane to the U.S. border will be extended 1.8 kilometres, to improve the flow of traffic to the border for families and commercial drivers. As part of these improvements, a two-lane overpass over the Southern Rail and CP Rail lines will be constructed on Vye Road to improve safety and reduce congestion at the existing crossing. A new crossing of both rail lines will be built along McConnell Road, connecting Riverside Road to Highway 11.
The $25-million project is being jointly funded by the Government of Canada, Province of B.C. and the City of Abbotsford.
This project will improve access to local commercial developments between Highway 11 and Riverside Road, and provide an alternate route along the Vye Road/8th Avenue corridor, facilitating access to both the Aldergrove and Huntington border crossings.
The Government of Canada is setting aside up to $8.33 million through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component for this project, with the Province of British Columbia and the City of Abbotsford also contributing $8.33 million each.
Federal funding under the Major Infrastructure Component is conditional upon the completion of a review of the project, the completion of environmental assessments and the signing of a contribution agreement.
The project is in the preliminary engineering phase and is expected to go to construction in 2014, with completion in the Fall of 2016.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in public infrastructure. Through the Gas Tax Fund alone, the government has invested over $10 billion in transfers for local infrastructure priorities. Making this fund permanent at $2 billion annually is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan – a plan to help create good jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Between 2006 and 2014, the Province of British Columbia will receive more than $1.56 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to direct towards its local infrastructure priorities.
Quotes:
The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia Pacific Gateway, the Honourable Ed Fast:
"Safe, modern and efficient highways and local roads are essential to ensuring the quality of life of local residents, transporting goods to market and encouraging visitors to our communities. By investing in this important project, the Government of Canada is creating jobs and improving the quality of life in Abbotsford and in communities across Canada."
Abbotsford-West MLA Mike de Jong on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak:
"This work will help improve safety and access to commercial interests within the area and make for more efficient travel along Highway 11. The increased traffic numbers clearly indicate that this project is much needed, and this work will be a valuable addition to our local transportation infrastructure."
City of Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman:
"As the community of Abbotsford and the entire Fraser Valley region have grown in recent decades, we've seen this vital transportation corridor become more and more congested, which hampers our local economy. This long term solution is going to bring major improvements in traffic flow, safety, and in traveling ease, saving both time and money."
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.
Learn more about transportation projects happening throughout BC at: Transportation Projects BC.
Connect with the Province of British Columbia on the Government of British Columbia site.
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
613-991-0700
Kate Trotter
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-356-8241
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
