CORNER BROOK, NL, May 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Modern and efficient roadways are crucial to helping Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day. The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are investing in well-planned infrastructure that will make it easier to move people and products, while creating good paying, middle class jobs.
Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, along with the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment and His Worship Charles Pender, Mayor of Corner Brook, announced more than $3 million in joint federal-provincial funding for the replacement of the Corner Brook Main Street bridge.
Work involves replacing the aging structure with a new, safer and bigger bridge that will incorporate an additional driving lane, updated lighting, stronger guard rails and wider sidewalks. The bridge will also be designed to improve stream flow and provide additional clearances to handle high water incidents.
These vital upgrades to one of downtown Corner Brook's main crossings will not only reduce traffic congestion, they will reduce the risk of closures caused by flooding.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is working with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to invest strategically in transportation infrastructure that improve our communities by reducing congestion and improving safety along vital routes while creating opportunities that contribute to growing the middle class. The replacement of this important bridge in Corner Brook will help improve traffic flow and increase the safety of residents and visitors alike."
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing in municipal projects that strengthen services and develop infrastructure. All will benefit from the upgrades and the replacement of Main Street Bridge, as it is a central route for travellers and visitors alike in Corner Brook. We have committed to working collaboratively with the Federal Government to ensure that we are supporting municipalities and building safe and sustainable communities."
The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
"The main street bridge was initially built in the 1920's and reconstructed in 1957. It is more than concrete and cables; it is a vital link to connecting the districts of Corner Brook East and Corner Brook West. It is one of only three crossings of the Corner Brook Stream in the City and it handles a wide variety of traffic types. The average annual daily traffic is estimated to be in excess of 20,000 vehicles which makes this infrastructure replacement essential to ensuring the safety of motorists and pedestrians and for the movement of goods and services through our community. Thank you to our Federal, and Provincial partners for supporting the main street bridge replacement."
His Worship Charles Pender, Mayor of Corner Brook
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada is providing $1,452,515 to this project under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing $1,597,767, while the City of Corner Brook is contributing the remainder of the funding.
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- Budget 2017 proposes over $10.1 billion in trade and transportation projects across Canada. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Associated links
Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375
Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nl-eng.html
New Building Canada Fund: Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Lynn Robinson, Media Relations Manager, Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, 709-729-5449, [email protected]; Bonita Decaire, Information Officer, City of Corner Brook, 709-637-1662, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Web: Infrastructure Canada
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