Governments of Canada and PEI invest in safer and more efficient roadways

STRATFORD, PE, April 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Modern and efficient roadways are crucial to encouraging and supporting economic activity, facilitating trade, and creating well-paid, middle class jobs. The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are investing in infrastructure that will make it easier and safer to move people and products across the province, while supporting sustained economic growth for years to come.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAuley, Member of Parliament for Cardigan and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and the Honourable Paula Biggar, Prince Edward Island Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, today announced joint federal-provincial support of over $7.9 million for a series of road improvements across the Province.

The Government of Canada is contributing more than $3.6 million through the New Building Canada Fund. The Province of Prince Edward Island will provide the remainder of funding.

The work will include resurfacing, widening, and adding roundabouts at locations across PEI's National Highway System, National Roads and Community Connectors.

Today's event also marks the completion of a number of previously announced projects that are contained in the PEI National Regional Projects Umbrella Agreement, with a total federal investment of over $14.9 million for roadway improvements.

These improvements increase safety, provide greater travel efficiency, and will extend the use of PEI roadways for decades to come.

Quotes

"The province's National Highway System, and National Roads and Community Connectors, are integral to the safe and efficient transportation of people and goods. We are committed to working in collaboration with our partners and showing flexibility to their regional needs. Our decision to add eligibility criteria to our infrastructure programs allowed for projects like the ones we are announcing today to happen for Islanders."

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulayMember of Parliament for Cardigan and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Province of Prince Edward Island played an integral role in expanded eligibility criteria for roads and bridges which is helping Canadians grow, prosper and thrive. By pooling our resources, the federal and provincial government – often in collaboration with municipalities and community partners – are making important investments that protect our province, keep travelers safe, assist our traditional industries, and enable economic growth."

The Honourable Paula Biggar, Prince Edward Island Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a 2-year federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:
• Skilled workforce/Immigration;
• Innovation;
• Clean growth and climate change;
• Trade and investment;
• Infrastructure.

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Backgrounder

Governments of Canada and PEI invest in safer and more efficient roadways

Joint federal-provincial support for a series of road improvements in Prince Edward Island include upgrades to four road components located across the province's National Highway System, National Roads and Community Connectors.

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $3,652,063 towards these projects, representing 50% of total eligible costs. The Government of Prince Edward Island will provide the remainder of funding.

List of project components

Safer, smoother roads coming to the Island thanks to federal-provincial infrastructure funding

Cascumpec Bridge project gets green light as the federal and provincial governments announce funding for transportation infrastructure on PEI

Federal-provincial funding going towards important improvements to Prince Edward Island transportation infrastructure

Transportation route improvements get funding boost in Prince Edward Island

Canada and Prince Edward Island support the next phase of the Trans-Canada Highway Extension

Better roads in store for Islanders with new investments in transportation infrastructure

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Prince Edward Island: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/pe-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cities-villes-eng.html

Atlantic Growth Strategy: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada