Canada Commits Funding to Construction of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - July 30, 2015) - Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, Minister for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast, was joined today by Brian Mason, Alberta's Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure to announce funding of up to $582.9 million for the Southwest Calgary Ring Road Project under the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. The work will ease congestion, reduce travel times and improve safety on the highway commonly known as the Stoney Trail.

The project involves the construction of 31 km of highway, 46 bridges, 10 service level interchanges, four multi-level major interchanges and the replacement of a bridge over a CP Rail line. The venture is expected to boost the local and regional economy by generating more than $800 million in labour income, contributing to industrial developments in Calgary and improving access for industrial producers and shippers moving goods to British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver via Highway 1. It will also reduce travel times and increase traffic flow for tourists from the United States.

The project was made possible thanks to a historic land-transfer agreement between the Government of Alberta and the Tsuu T'ina Nation. The highway improvements are expected to allow the Tsuu T'ina Nation to expand and diversify their economy. For the City of Calgary, the project will provide new housing development space, as well as increased services to support regional population growth.

Through the $4-billion National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund, the Government of Canada is providing financial support for projects with far reaching benefits for all Canadians. The Fund supports infrastructure of national significance that has a strong impact on Canada's competitiveness, productivity and economic well-being.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration for up to $582.9 million under the New Building Canada Fund's National Infrastructure Component. This funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.
• The Government of Alberta will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.
• The $53 billion New Building Canada Plan provides stable funding for a 10-year period, and includes:
  • The Community Improvement Fund, consisting of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, which will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit and recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.
  • The $14-billion New Building Canada Fund, which consists of:
    • The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component that will support projects of national significance; and
    • The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component for projects of national, regional and local significance. Of this amount, $1 billion for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents through the Small Communities Fund.
  • An additional $1.25 billion in funding for the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada.

Quotes

"We are proud to invest in the Calgary Southwest Ring road, which will help drivers reach their destinations more quickly and safely. In fact, the Government's support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. We want to ensure that infrastructure funding continues to flow in Alberta and across Canada."

Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, Minister for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast

"The Southwest Calgary Ring Road is an important infrastructure project, enabling us to provide Albertans with a safe, modern highway network that will improve travel times in and around one of Canada's most important cities and support economic growth in the province. Our government welcomes this investment from the Government of Canada, and we look forward to working with all levels of government to deliver the vital transportation infrastructure that Albertans depend on."

Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure and MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood

Associated Links

To learn more about the New Building Canada Fund - Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

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