Project made possible thanks to federal Gas Tax Fund
Waterloo, Ontario, November 14, 2013 – Officials gathered today in the Region of Waterloo to celebrate the completion of the rehabilitation of the Victoria Street Bridge, which will ensure safer travel for motorists and pedestrians and benefit the community for years to come.
"Projects such as the rehabilitation of the Victoria Street Bridge ensure that our transportation network is both reliable and viable,"
said Peter Braid, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "Our Government is proud to announce that the second installment of Canada's Gas Tax Fund for 2013 is being made available across Ontario, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."
"Waterloo Region Council is planning for and investing in the transportation infrastructure we need to keep people and goods moving within, and to and from our community,"
said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. "Federal Gas Tax funding has helped us move quickly on many crucial transportation projects like the Victoria Street Bridge Rehabilitation."
Also known as Highway 7, Victoria Street is a major route through the Region that passes over the Grand River. Restoration of the bridge included deck repairs; replacement of the existing sidewalks and barrier walls; bearing replacement; concrete repairs; and asphalt resurfacing. The Region of Waterloo used $2.4 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation to complete the work.
"Canada's Gas Tax Fund delivers for Ontario's municipalities by meeting our pressing need for infrastructure investment,"
said Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Through our unique federal-municipal partnership, municipalities invest the Fund exactly where it is needed the most which helps to make our communities safer, more efficient and prosperous."
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to municipalities across the country to build and revitalize their local infrastructure. The Government of Canada has now made the Gas Tax Fund a permanent transfer that will grow from its current $2 billion per year while providing increased flexibility on how the money can be used to fund local infrastructure priorities. The Government of Canada provides $746.8 million in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. Since the beginning of the program, the Region of Waterloo has received over $94 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO delivers Canada's Gas Tax Fund to Ontario municipalities, except Toronto, twice a year, on a per capita basis. The Ontario model is unique and has proven to deliver through its transparency and effectiveness. Municipalities rely on the Fund's administration model, which provides flexibility and a long-term, predictable and stable allocation to invest in local priority projects.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter @INFC_eng.
For more information on the federal Gas Tax Fund at work in Ontario communities, visit Gas Tax at Work or @GasTaxInOntario on Twitter.
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Bryan Stortz
Director of Communications
Region of Waterloo
519-575-4408
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
