Government of Canada to Support Major Improvements to Elmwood Drive in Moncton

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 8, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, 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, was joined today by Monique LeBlanc, Member of the Legislature for Moncton East, and George LeBlanc, Mayor of Moncton, to announce federal funding of up to $6.25 million under the New Building Canada Plan for the widening of a section of Elmwood Drive in Moncton.

The project involves widening approximately 2.2 kilometres of Elmwood Drive between Cedarwood Ave and Longfellow Drive. Work will include installing a storm sewer system, widening the roadway to accommodate 4 lanes, and building a concrete curb and sidewalks on both sides of the street. This section of Elmwood Drive is currently a 2-lane rural arterial roadway with a ditch system for drainage.
Once complete, the project will significantly improve safety and traffic flow along this key route.

The New Building Canada Plan is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada's history.
This unprecedented commitment is providing $53 billion to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure, between 2014 and 2024.

Over this ten-year period, New Brunswick will benefit from approximately $866 million in dedicated federal funding, including almost $394 million under the New Building Canada Fund.

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration of up to half of the eligible costs ($12.5 million), to a maximum of $6.25 million under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects. 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 New Brunswick will be responsible for the 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, which consists of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities and will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit, 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, with $1 billion going to 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:

"Our government's support for public infrastructure and strengthening our communities has never been stronger, as evidenced by investments being made through our New Building Canada Fund. We are pleased to work with the Government of New Brunswick to support improvements to Elmwood Drive, as well as other important infrastructure priorities in the Greater Moncton Area."

Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, 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

"Our government is proud to be investing in this important municipal infrastructure project as part of our Strategic Infrastructure Initiative. This investment reflects our commitment to boost our economy in the short-term through job creation and in the long-term through the reconstruction and renewal of strategic infrastructure resources."

Monique LeBlanc, Member of the Legislature for Moncton East, on behalf of the Honourable Roger Melanson, New Brunswick Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

"The widening and upgrade of Elmwood Drive is a significant infrastructure project. The recent opening of Moncton High School and new residential developments in that area have increased traffic flow. This project will improve the safety of everyone travelling along Elmwood Drive and will alleviate the traffic issues that have caused some concern over the years. We thank both levels of government for their commitment to improving the quality of life and safety of our residents."

George LeBlanc, Mayor of Moncton

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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