Simcoe County, Ontario, Friday, April 12, 2013 – Motorists travelling on Highway 400 will soon benefit from major road and bridge improvements, announced today by the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Government House Leader and Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe, and the Honourable Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation.
"Thousands of motorists rely on Highway 400 each day to get where they need to go safely and quickly,"
said the Honourable Peter Van Loan. "Our government is proud to invest in these important improvements that will ensure efficient travel for commuters and commercial vehicles alike. "
"These improvements to Highway 400, along with recent investments at the local hospital and college, are all examples of Ontario's commitment to renewing and repairing critical infrastructure in the region and across the province,"
said the Honourable Glen Murray. "These highway improvements will contribute to smoother travel for motorists and will reduce future maintenance costs. "
"Our Highway 400 corridor will soon be the engine that drives our local economy,"
said Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Doug White. "Infrastructure improvements today lead to major employment tomorrow. I am very pleased all levels of government have come together to make it happen."
"All levels of government are coming together today to benefit our region,"
said County of Simcoe Warden Cal Patterson. "This funding will assist with infrastructure projects that will not only help stimulate our economy and create jobs for Simcoe County residents, but also keep them safer while travelling our roads."
Through the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, the governments of Canada and Ontario are each setting aside up to $41.5 million to rehabilitate more than 26 kilometres of Highway 400 from north of Canal Road to Innisfil Beach Road in Simcoe County. Work will include asphalt resurfacing, drainage repairs and median barrier replacement, improving the safety and ride quality when driving through the area.
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.
Additionally, through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, Canada and Ontario will provide up to $26 million in joint funding for additional Highway 400 improvements, including a bridge replacement at the Crown Hill overpass, a new interchange at Highway 400 and 5th Line, and the four laning of 5th Line. Simcoe County and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury are also contributing towards the cost of the interchange at 5th Line.
Overall, through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $175 million to 44 initiatives to strengthen infrastructure in Ontario. Ontario is contributing $173 million toward these initiatives, while other partners, including municipalities, will provide another $54 million.
Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and 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 almost 900,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
These investments support Building Together, the Province 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.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure web site.
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Patrick Searle
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transportation and
Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario
416-327-1815
Allan Greenwood
Director of Corporate Communications
Simcoe County
705-726-9300 Ext. 1230
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
