BETTER ACCESS TO CN INTERMODAL FACILITY FOR SHIPPERS IN NORTHERN B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, Sept. 10 /CNW/ - Richard M. Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, the completion of the upgrading and widening of River Road in Prince George. The Government of Canada committed up to $3.5 million to help the City of Prince George improve the infrastructure along River Road and provide shippers with easier access to the CN Intermodal Facility located there. It is estimated that through the realization of cost savings, the final federal contribution will be approximately $3.2 million.

"This project is an excellent example of our government's continued action to increase trade between North America and the Asia-Pacific region," said MP Harris. "The CN rail line runs from Edmonton to the Port of Prince Rupert. It is a key part of the transportation system that brings goods to and from Asia-Pacific countries and Canada. The completion of River Road will ensure Canadian businesses have competitive access to overseas markets through an efficient, reliable and thriving Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor."

"We are pleased to officially open an improved River Road," said Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers. "This project will deliver numerous benefits to the city, including strengthening the road network that serves many businesses that are poised to grow as we strengthen our relations with our trading partners in Asia. We appreciate the support of our MP and thank the federal government for its contribution to this multi-year project."

These improvements will have many benefits for the region, including a safer, more reliable River Road, along with a wider roadway with bicycle lanes. They will also provide an alternate route between Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and Highway 97 North, as well as a continuous east-west route in Prince George with recreational access to the Nechako River.

As part of this work, the roadway was raised to the 200-year flood level in order to avoid flood-related closures, such as those that occurred during the Nechako River flooding in 2008.

The project also included the addition of two left-turn lanes to facilitate access to the CN intermodal terminal situated on River Road.

River Road is part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor, a network of transportation infrastructure including British Columbia's Lower Mainland and Prince Rupert ports, their principal road and rail connections stretching across Western Canada and south to the United States, key border crossings and major Canadian airports. Through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, the Government of Canada has partnered with British Columbia and other western provinces, municipalities and the private sector to announce strategic infrastructure projects worth more than $2.8 billion, including federal contributions of over $1 billion.

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Backgrounder

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Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor is a network of transportation infrastructure, including British Columbia's Lower Mainland and Prince Rupert ports, their principal road and rail connections stretching across Western Canada and south to the United States, key border crossings and major Canadian airports.

The network serves all of Canada and aims to take advantage of Canada's strategic location at the crossroads between the North American marketplace and the booming economies of Asia.

On October 11, 2006, Prime Minister Harper announced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) with an initial investment of $591 million. A further commitment of $410 million was made in Budget 2007, bringing total federal funding for the Initiative to more than $1 billion. The APGCI is a long-term effort, focusing on infrastructure, policy, governance and operational issues together under a single multimodal, system-based, public-private strategy.

In an era of rapidly moving and integrated global supply chains, policies and investments must consider entire transportation systems that connect, for example, Asia with North America's economic heartland. In this context, making the right investments anywhere along the system benefits all who rely on it and not just those in jurisdictions where dollars are invested.

The Government of Canada's contributions to APGCI projects will improve the transportation system by:

• increasing transportation capacity;
• reducing congestion at key locations for Asia-Pacific trade;
• improving connections between modes; and
• enhancing its efficiency, safety and security.

The Government of Canada's investments will continue to promote increased investments by the private sector and other public-sector partners to ensure efficient and seamless connections between the various modes of transportation and improve traffic flows for international cargo.

For further information:

Contacts:

Mélisa Leclerc Director of Communications Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway 613-952-5051

Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613-993-0055