Kitchener Celebrates Rehabilitated Bridges

KITCHENER, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 9, 2015) - The Government of Canada is delivering major infrastructure improvements to two local bridges, thanks to contributions from the federal Gas Tax Fund. Representatives gathered today at the Shirk Place Bridge over Laurel Creek to celebrate the bridge rehabilitations which will improve commutes across the region.

Improvements on the Shirk Place Bridge included repairs to the bridge deck, abutments and concrete beams, as well as new asphalt, parapet walls and guiderails. Waterproofing and new asphalt installation will be completed this spring. Work on the Stirling Avenue Bridge included major deck repairs as well as the addition of new asphalt, parapet walls, steel beam guiderails and waterproofing and will be completed this spring.

Both bridges act as key links in the city, providing direct access to major roads, Kitchener's downtown core and local businesses, with the Stirling Avenue Bridge also providing a vital connection over the Goderich-Exeter Railway (GEXR). The upgrades will help reduce travel times, alleviate traffic congestion, enhance the structural integrity and safety of the bridges and increase their functional lifespans.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada contributed the total projects cost of $1,871,736 through the federal Gas Tax Fund transfer.
• To date, a total of $46,925,910 has been made available to Kitchener through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• Between 2005 and 2014, the City of Kitchener invested a total of $96,283,404 in municipal infrastructure above and beyond monies provided through the federal Gas Tax Fund.

Quotes

"As part of Canada's technology triangle, Kitchener is a city built on innovation and opportunity. The rehabilitation of the Stirling Avenue Bridge will allow the free flow of people and goods to the city's Tannery District and downtown core-a key high-tech and business hub-while Shirk Place Bridge improvements will ensure safe and direct access to local businesses. Our Government's investments through the Gas Tax Fund transfer will continue to generate economic growth and job creation here in Kitchener and across Canada for years to come."

"Helping to connect workers with jobs, products with markets, and travellers with destinations, the Shirk Place and Stirling Avenue Bridges are vital to the economic prosperity of this region. This investment, along with investments in Kitchener roads, will make people's daily commute faster and easier and will benefit our environment by reducing the amount of time drivers spend in traffic. The Harper Government is proud to provide municipalities with flexible infrastructure funding that allows them to support projects that address the needs of their community."

"Kitchener is pleased to work with our federal partners to deliver infrastructure improvements to arterial routes. This enhances the flow of goods and people across the city and connects neighbourhoods to our vibrant downtown and burgeoning innovation district. We look forward to collaborating on future initiatives similar to the federal Gas Tax Fund, which leverage the unique ability of municipalities like Kitchener to bring about economic growth and an improved quality of life for all Canadians."

Associated Links

To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html.

For more information on the City of Kitchener's asset management and infrastructure services priorities, visit: http://kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/Asset_Management.asp.

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

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan: http://www.budget.gc.ca/efp-peb/2014/home-accueil-eng.html.

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