Government of Canada Invests $15 Million in Forillon National Park, Quebec

Highway 132 between Cap-des-Rosiers and Cap-aux-Os will be rebuilt

OTTAWA, April 23, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced today that Parks Canada will invest nearly $15 million in Forillon National Park to reconstruct the section of Highway 132 between the villages of Cap-des-Rosiers and Cap-aux-Os in the Gaspe region of Quebec.

This reconstruction project was undertaken following the publication of a report on roadway management in the national parks of Eastern Canada. By investing in its road infrastructure as it is being done for Highway 132, Parks Canada will not only increase the security of local residents and visitors, but will also improve access to Forillon National Park and increase its visitation.

With its recent major investment projects in the Penouille Peninsula and Cap-des-Rosiers harbour, Parks Canada maintains its commitment of being a proud regional tourism partner.

Quick facts

• The call for tenders, which will be launched soon, concerns Segment 1, a roughly 4-km stretch of road between Cap-aux-Os and the La Chute trail. The work includes the reconstruction of the roadway and its shoulders, as well as the construction of a parking lot at the highest point on the route (entrance to the Les Crêtes trail)
• The work will begin in June and take three years (2014-2016).
• The section of Highway 132 covered by the project belongs to Parks Canada. It links the two main sectors of Forillon National Park, in addition to providing a vital link between the villages on the north and south sides of Forillon Peninsula.
• Over the past five years, investment projects in Forillon National Park have totaled more than $26 million.

Quotes

"Our government is investing in the reconstruction of Highway 132, which is a vital access road for the local population and for visitors to Forillon National Park. This major project will further develop the potential and beauty while increasing the safety of the park in keeping with Parks Canada's mandate. It will also promote economic and tourism development in the region."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"By proceeding with a full reconstruction of Highway 132 in Forillon National Park, our Government is pursuing its commitment to promote the economic development of communities in Quebec ."

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

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Associated Links

Recent investments in Forillon National Park:

• Sustainable Development Project of the Penouille Peninsula (March 19, 2009)
• Repairs to the Cap-des-Rosiers Wharf and the Rivière Whalen Bridge (February 22, 2010) 
• Forillon National Park to Pursue Investment Projects (June 25, 2013)
• Cap-des-Rosiers Upgrading Work to Conclude Soon (January 29, 2014)

Image with caption: "Highway 132, in Forillon National Park, is going to be rebuilt. (CNW Group/Parks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140423_C4745_PHOTO_EN_39534.jpg

SOURCE: Parks Canada

Michel Queenton
Manager, External Relations
Gaspésie Field Unit, Parks Canada
418-368-5592
[email protected]
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