Federal and municipal contributions and community fundraising efforts support restoration of 140-year-old rail bridge
Chatsworth, Ontario, November 22, 2013 – Officials gathered today in Grey County to celebrate the completion of the rehabilitation of the historic railway arch known locally as "Culvert 21", a structure that is a source of local pride and historic significance for the area.
"Federal investments in our communities, like the one we are celebrating today, demonstrate our Government's continued commitment to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,"
said Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, 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. "In recognition of the value this project has for local heritage, I am delighted that our contribution helped make the rehabilitation of Culvert 21 possible."
"Across Canada, federal Gas Tax funds have been invested to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, public transit, community energy systems, solid waste management and local roads,"
said 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. "Reliable, up-front funding provides greater certainty for municipalities to plan and carry out projects and ensure that they remain among the best places to live in the world."
This project involved rehabilitating Culvert 21, a railway brick arch located on a multi-use recreational trail used by snowmobilers, ATV's, cyclists and hikers. The project maintained the historic features of the culvert and will ensure the safety of people who use this trail for years to come.
"Community support has played a vital role in the restoration of Culvert 21 and our community has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to maintaining Grey County's heritage,"
said County Councillor and Mayor of Chatsworth Bob Pringle. Grey County has received over $7,000 in community donations for the rehabilitation of the railway arch and the County is still welcoming additional donations from the community.
"Culvert 21 is a valuable and remarkable heritage asset for Grey County and a vital part of our trail system, contributing to the scenic beauty of our community and providing opportunities for our residents and visitors to enjoy the healthy, active lifestyles that our region is known for,"
said Grey County Planning and Community Development Chair, Arlene Wright.
"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 source of funding. The Fund that will grow from its current $2 billion per year to reflect indexing established in Economic Action Plan 2013, which also provided increased flexibility on how the money can be used to address local infrastructure priorities. The Government of Canada provides $746.58 million in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. Grey County has directed $156,524 of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation towards the total project cost of close to $600,000. To date, the Government of Canada has made over $18.5 million available to Grey County through the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure.
The national Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund provided $150 million over two years for repairs and improvements to existing public community infrastructure. The Fund was delivered by regional development agencies across Canada. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) was responsible for administering the program, drawing on its expertise in the delivery of infrastructure programs, while the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) is assisting with its knowledge of the region to manage communications activities related to the Fund in Northern Ontario. Grey County received $166,500 in CIIF funding for the Culvert 21 rehabilitation project.
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.
To read about other projects completed in Ontario thanks to the federal Gas Tax Fund, visit Infrastructure Canada's Gas Tax Fund.
For additional information about Culvert 21 and Grey County, please visit Grey County's website or follow Grey County on Twitter at @GreyCounty.
For additional information, please contact:
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
Randy Scherzer
Director of Planning
Grey County
519-372-0219 ext. 1237
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
