Seven Months Early, Under Budget: Route 1 Gateway Takes Gold at 16th Annual National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - New Brunswick's Route 1 Gateway Project has won the Gold Award for Infrastructure at the 16^th annual Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships. Despite including a complex mix of new and upgraded highway sections along a 235-km corridor, the project was completed seven months ahead of schedule. It also provided many local jobs and a significant boost to the local economy.

A core route within New Brunswick, Route 1 is also the national and international corridor that links the south of the province to the USA and other Atlantic provinces. The project entailed the design, construction and financing of 55km of new four-lane highway, twinned sections and selected upgrades along the existing 235km stretch between St. Stephen and River Glade, as well as bridges and wildlife crossings.

The project has greatly improved the safety and efficiency of the highway and trade corridor and offers major economic spinoffs for local businesses. It attracted first-time support for a domestic P3 project from two federal agencies, Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Municipal Enterprises Limited and Dexter Construction Company Limited contracted with the New Brunswick Highway Corporation in a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain-Rehabilitate P3 agreement over 30 years. The private-sector partners brought innovative solutions to the table in a time of financial uncertainty. Notably, 75 per cent of the design-build was completed by New Brunswick workers, suppliers and contractors and delivered in mid-December 2012, under budget and ahead of schedule.

"This project will have a huge impact on the economy of Atlantic Canada, with improved access for goods, resources and people in and out of the region," said Mark Romoff, President and CEO, CCPPP. "The Route 1 Gateway has also shown how local businesses can create tremendous value, jobs and a return on investment for their own communities."

This award will be presented on November 7^th at The Council's annual conference. The gathering attracts major players from across Canada and around the world, where the Canadian P3 approach is considered best in class.

About the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships. The Council organizes an annual conference that is recognized internationally as the premier forum bringing together senior government and business leaders in the P3 community at which the most successful Canadian public-private partnerships are celebrated through CCPPP's National Awards for Innovation and Excellence.

SOURCE: Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships

For more information about CCPPP contact:   

Mark Romoff, President and CEO, CCPPP
416-861-0500
[email protected]  

For Media Enquiries contact: 

Chris Allicock
416-694-3131 (o)
416-319-8003 (c)
[email protected]