Cascumpec Bridge Project Gets Green Light as the Federal and Provincial Governments Announce Funding for Transportation Infrastructure on PEI

ALBERTON, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwired - July 8, 2016) - Federal-provincial investments in infrastructure will improve public safety and encourage economic development in Western Prince Edward Island.

The Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island, and Robert J. Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Paula Biggar, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy on Prince Edward Island, today announced that the project to replace the Cascumpec Bridge will now move forward thanks to federal and provincial funding under the New Building Canada Plan.

The project involves reconstructing the Cascumpec Bridge and raising it by 0.6 metres. This will improve driver safety and boost economic growth by making key links from farms and wharves to markets more efficient.

Work on the bridge will begin as early as Monday, July 11, 2016.

The total eligible cost of this project is $2.4 million. The governments of Canada and PEI will each contribute 50% of this amount up to $1.2 million each.

Quotes

"Transportation infrastructure is vital to the safety of Islanders and to the economic growth of our province. A safe and efficient road network is key to achieving sustained prosperity by ensuring our products get from our farms, ports, and innovative businesses to global distributors and consumers."

The Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island

"Public infrastructure connects people, supports job creation, and boosts economic development. This is why the Government of Canada has pledged to work in partnership with provinces, territories and municipalities to ensure we make smart investments that help grow the middle class, promote sustainable development and safeguard public health and safety. By supporting improvements to PEI's transportation routes, we will help local businesses get their goods to market and foster long-term prosperity in the region for generations to come."

Robert J. Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Strategic highway investments are making our roads more efficient, reducing accidents and enabling growth. We are grateful for our great partnership with the federal government through infrastructure funding programs."

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

Associated links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html.

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

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component, National and Regional Projects Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html

New Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, Prince Edward Island: http://www.gov.pe.ca/tir/index.php3?number=78199&lang=E

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada