Harper government announces environmental assessment contract for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence

OTTAWA, April 23, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that the Government of Canada has selected the Dessau|Cima+ consortium of Montreal to carry out the federal environmental assessment for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence.

"The environmental assessment phase is an important step towards building the new bridge," said Minister Lebel. "The new bridge for the St. Lawrence is necessary to sustain economic growth and long-term prosperity in Canada, and I am pleased that this project continues to move forward."

With an estimated $20 billion in international trade crossing the Champlain Bridge annually, this corridor is a significant part of the regional economy and Canada's economy as a whole. An efficient transportation corridor for commuters, public transit users and commercial vehicles is essential to ensuring the quality of life of residents and workers in greater Montreal.

The assessment will consist of environmental and technical work required to make recommendations to minimize the environmental and community impacts of the project. The public, local advisory councils, the private sector and community groups will have the opportunity to participate in the environmental assessment process. The bidding process was launched on January 24, 2012. From March 15, 2012, to April 4, 2012, the public was invited to comment on the Draft Federal Environmental Assessment Guidelines for this project. These guidelines will guide Dessau|Cima+ in completing the environmental assessment.

The federal environmental assessment will take 18 to 24 months. Updates on progress and consultation activities will continue to be provided throughout the planning process and construction phase. Documents for this environmental assessment are available online at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/Viewer_e.cfm?CEAR_ID=65574.

Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Investing in public infrastructure is an important part of this strategy. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery, with more than 690,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. Find out more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012 at www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.

For more information about the new bridge for the St. Lawrence, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/nbfsl.

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Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the
Regions of Quebec
Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055