Canada and Quebec to support completion of construction of Highway 85

Project made possible thanks to the New Building Canada Plan

SAINT-LOUIS-DU-HA! HA!, QC, July 13, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - 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 Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport, and Jean D'Amour, Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, and Minister responsible for the regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, to announce $389,681,000 in federal funding for Phase 3 of the redevelopment of Highway 85, under the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. The Government of Quebec's contribution of $557,649,000 also reaffirms the project as priority under the 2015-2025 Québec Infrastructure Plan. Construction work on this segment of the highway will begin in 2017.

This project involves the last 40 kilometre section from Saint-Antonin to Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!, which will benefit the entire province of Quebec, as Highway 85 is vital to the economic development of eastern Canada. Expanding the existing highway (route 185) to four lanes in this section will make Highway 85 safer and more efficient for those using it and facilitate the transport of goods between Quebec and the Maritime provinces.

The first two phases of the redevelopment project included converting a two-lane highway into a four-lane divided highway in an effort to improve safety. Phase 1 of the project, which was rolled out between 2002 and 2011, involved a number of specific sections of the road for a total of 21 kilometres. Phase 2, a distance of roughly 33 kilometres between Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac (Cabano section) and the New Brunswick border, is almost complete. The highway was rolled out gradually beginning in 2013 and continuing in 2014. The last 7.5 kilometres of this phase in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, in the Notre-Dame-du-Lac section, will be rolled out in fall 2015. At the end of Phase 3, the Highway 85 construction project will be complete.

Through the $4-billion National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund, the Government of Canada is providing financial support for projects with far reaching benefits for all Canadians. The Fund supports infrastructure of national significance that has a strong impact on Canada's competitiveness, productivity and economic well-being.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration for up to $389,681,000 under the New Building Canada Fund's National Infrastructure Component. 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 Quebec Ministry of Transport has set aside $557,649,000 for this priority project, as set out in the 2015-2025 Québec Infrastructure Plan. The ministry will also be responsible for all remaining costs of the project, which has an estimated total cost of $947,330,000.
• The $53 billion New Building Canada Plan provides stable funding for a 10-year period, and includes the Community Improvement Fund; the New Building Canada Fund; and the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada. Funding will continue across the country within the framework of existing infrastructure programs.

Quotes

"Support from our government for public infrastructure has never been more important. Through the New Building Canada Plan, our government is investing in priority infrastructure projects with an emphasis on creating jobs and promoting growth and long-term prosperity across Canada. We are proud to support Phase 3 of the construction of Highway 85, which is an important artery for interprovincial trade, will ensure the safety of travellers and contribute to the economic development of eastern Canada."

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

"Today's announcement is great news for the many travellers that use this route on a regular basis. The realization of this important project will have significant impacts not only in Quebec but for all of Eastern Canada by improving the safety of this highway and providing infrastructure that will support interprovincial trade that is so vital to our economic prosperity."

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Since April 2014, our government has been working very hard to realize the last 40 kilometres of this project as quickly as possible. I am very proud today to be able to announce the Government of Quebec's contribution which has been much anticipated ny the citizens of the region. This project will have a number of benefits including improved road safety and better traffic flow. Upgrading this strategic route will also faciliate interprovincial trade. This is why we are completing this last section as soon as possible."

Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport

"This is an historic day for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region with  the confirmation that Autoroute Claude-Béchard will be completed. For me, assuring the safety of  local residents and visitors is a priority.  The completion of highway 85 will make it much easier for people and goods to travel between Quebec and New Brunswick, and all the communities in between. This is a huge gain for our region."

Jean D'Amour, Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, and Minister responsible for the regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Associated Links

To learn more about the New Building Canada Fund – National Infrastructure Component, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nic-vin-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.

For additional information about the Government of Quebec's public infrastructure priorities, consult the Québec Infrastructure Plan at the following address: http://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/15-16/quebecPublicInfrastructure.pdf

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre des Transports

Vincent Rabault, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, 613-943-1838; Valérie Rodrigue, Director, Office of the Quebec Minister of Transport, 418-643-6980; Zoé Couture, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy, and Minister responsible for the regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie--Îles-de-la-Madeleine, 418-580-9754; Miryam Leclerc, Communications Advisor, Ministry of Transport, Bas-Saint-Laurent-Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Directorate, 418-727-3675, ext. 2235; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected], Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/infc_eng