Four Communities in Northeastern Ontario Get Funding for Important Wastewater and Road Improvement Projects

KAPUSKASING, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 15, 2015) - Residents of Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Moosonee and Timmins will benefit from important wastewater and road improvement projects thanks to joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Small Communities Fund.

The Highway 11 connecting link and bridge, between Riverside and de l'Etang will be replaced in Kapuskasing; Railway Street will be reconstructed, from 3rd Avenue to 12th Avenue, in Cochrane; the water and wastewater distribution lines will be replaced in the Mistik/Meechim area in the Town of Moosonee; and the Whitney-Tisdale Sanitary System will be upgraded in Timmins.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs. Canada and Ontario will each provide $272 million to support projects in communities across the province with fewer than 100,000 residents. This funding will help address local priorities, supporting job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across Ontario for years to come.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $5,782,480 through the Small Communities Fund for these 4 projects.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $5,852,587 to these projects.

Quotes

"We are proud to invest in projects like these that will benefit our community by improving much needed local infrastructure. Our Government's commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan Small Communities Fund we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a strong impact on the quality of life of Ontario's residents while helping job creation and economic growth."

The Honourable Greg Rickford,

Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, Minister of Natural Resources, and Member of Parliament for Kenora

"Today's investments include wastewater and road improvement projects in Kapuskasing, Cochrane, Moosonee and Timmins -- projects that will help to keep residents, and their communities, safe. They are part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history - more than $130 billion over 10 years. Our government is committed to building Northern Ontario up through important community infrastructure projects like these."

The Honourable Michael Gravelle

Minister of Northern Development and Mines

"The Town of Cochrane is delighted to be working with both the Federal and Provincial Government to realize a critical upgrade in our community. The Railway Street Infrastructure project for water and wastewater will repair assets that are almost 100 years old."

Peter Politis

Mayor of Cochrane

"Kapuskasing is extremely pleased that both levels of government support and have given priority to our project as we move progressively towards our vision in building a safe and healthy community. This project will no doubt increase and enhance the quality of life for our residents as well as support our goals and objectives in promoting economic growth. We also appreciate that both levels of government recognize the need to support municipalities in improving their infrastructure and the value it brings to our communities. "

Alan Spacek,

Mayor of the Town of Kapuskasing

"On behalf of the residents and Council for the Town Moosonee, I would like to express my sincere thank you to both the Government of Canada and the Provincial Government for approving our SCF application, which will replace aging water and wastewater lines in the Mistik / Meechim area of Town. These lines were installed by the Canadian Military back in the 1950's. They are some of the oldest water and wastewater lines in Moosonee and are in urgent need of replacement. With the funds provided by the Governments, our residents, schools and businesses in this area won't have to worry much longer about water or sewer lines breaks. The Town of Moosonee is a small, isolated community and has a very low tax base, so major infrastructure projects like this would not be possible without help from financial grants like the SCF. Being a Mayor in a small northern community, it gives me a great feeling to know that both the Government of Canada and the Provincial Government recognize that the needs of communities in the far north are very important. I believe that the communities in the far north are starting to get recognized and I am very impressed to see the present Governments making visits to the far north to see first-hand the infrastructure challenges facing our communities, and the extra costs and challenges we have in the far north of Ontario. With the approval of the SCF for the four northern communities, I think this will only be a start for improvements that will bring business and people back to the north. In closing, again I would like express my appreciation and thank you to the Provincial and Canadian Governments for approving the SCF for the Town of Moosonee and look forward to working with both Governments making my Town of Moosonee and our area a better place."

Mr. Wayne Taipale

Mayor of the Town of Moosonee

"The scope of the project will re-furbish five (5) 40 year old sewage lift stations and reduce the number of sewage bypass events that have become a common occurrence for this sewage distribution system. The municipality received a Ministry of the Environment Order to remedy this situation by 2017. The total investment to be made by the municipality is expected to exceed $16 million. This funding announcement will support our financial commitment of $7.8million for Phase 2 of this important upgrade."

Steve Black

Mayor of the City of Timmins

Associated Links

To learn more about the Government of Canada's infrastructure programs, including the Small Communities Fund, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html

To find out more about Ontario's infrastructure programs, including the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, visit http://www.moi.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure

Follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng

Backgrounder

Four Communities in Northeastern Ontario Get Funding for Important Wastewater and Road Improvement Projects

Project approved under the Small Communities Fund

Cochrane, Ontario

Railway Street Reconstruction - 3rd Avenue to 12th Avenue

The work will include the replacement of the surface, subgrade, watermain, sewer, storm sewer, curb, gutter and sidewalk from 3rd Avenue to 12th Avenue. These upgrades are expected to improve the safety and efficiency of the Town's transportation network for residents and visitors.

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $1,033,751 for this project.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $1,103,857 to this project.
• The Town of Cochrane will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

Kapuskasing, Ontario

Highway 11 Connecting Link (Riverside to de l'Etang)

This project will entail the replacement of Highway 11 connecting link and bridge, between Riverside and de l'Etang. Work will include the construction of new sidewalks and curbs, the application of new asphalt as well as associated water and wastewater work. Rehabilitation work will extend the functional lifespan of the bridge, while increasing safety for motorists and pedestrians alike, along with the addition of a turning lane and bicycle lane.

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $1,399,999 for this project.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $1,399,999 to this project.
• The Town of Kapuskasing will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

Moosonee, Ontario

Water / Wastewater Line Replacement

This project will involve the replacement of the water and wastewater distribution lines in one of the oldest areas of the Town. Replacing this critical infrastructure will reduce the likelihood of sewage backups occurring in this residential area and will also reduce the frequency of watermain breaks, ensuring the safe and reliable supply of drinking water.

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $740,657 for this project.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $740,658 to this project.
• The Town of Moosonee will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

Timmins, Ontario

Whitney-Tisdale Sanitary Upgrades - Phase 2 to 4

This project will include significant upgrades to the Whitney-Tisdale Sanitary System, including the refurbishment of six existing lift stations, several force mains, and the construction of two storm equalization tanks. Improvements will reduce potential impacts to the environment and residents, extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure, and improve overall operations.

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $2,608,073 for this project.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $2,608,073 to this project.
• The City of Timmins will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.