Strengthening Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway: Edmonton intermodal project will grow exports and benefit the local economy

OTTAWA, April 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, the Honourable Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation for the Province of Alberta, and Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton today participated in a ceremonial signing event for the construction of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QEII) and 41 Avenue Southwest Intermodal Access project in Edmonton, Alberta. The Ministers were joined at the ceremonial signing event by representatives from the City of Edmonton and Canadian Pacific.

"Our government is focused on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians," said Minister Fast.  "That is why we are supporting worthwhile initiatives like the QEII and 41 Avenue SW Intermodal Access project which will facilitate increased trade and support getting world-class Canadian exports to high-growth Asian markets faster."

The total cost of this project is estimated at $205 million, with the federal government contributing up to $75 million under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. In addition, the Province of Alberta is investing $57.5 million and the City of Edmonton is providing $72.5 million towards the interchange project.

"Not only will this interchange provide better access to local residents, it will also make it easier to move goods in and out of the Capital Region and Alberta," said Minister McIver. "The partnership that is building this vital access increases our ability to reach international markets. The benefits of an integrated transportation system are limitless."

"The intermodal access project is a crucial addition to Edmonton's transportation infrastructure," said Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton. "It provides an important link to the provincial transportation corridor and assists in the movement of people, goods and services throughout the Alberta Capital Region."

The project will improve connections between different modes of transportation, improve rail and road traffic flows, and facilitate economic development and international trade with Asia-Pacific countries.

The QEII is an important north-south provincial highway on the National Highway System that is used not only for commuter trips, but also for the transportation of commercial goods between regions. The project will include the construction of a new interchange over the QEII, including a grade separation over the Canadian Pacific mainline and future staging tracks; the realignment of QEII Highway from south of 41 Avenue SW to Ellerslie Road; a bridge over Blackmud Creek; and upgrades to 41 Avenue SW to handle the traffic generated from the new intermodal terminal.

This initiative adds to the government's unprecedented investments in infrastructure, announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013. The government is delivering the new Building Canada plan to construct roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Combined with other federal infrastructure investments, it supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation. Since 2006, the federal government has made unprecedented investments in over 43,000 projects to build roads, bridges, commuter rail and other important public infrastructure.

During this time of optimizing dollars, the Alberta government is working to improve market access and support a growing economy by focusing on the core transportation network and developing key corridors. This benefits all Albertans and Canadians, regardless of where they live, and represents the Alberta government's commitment to building our economic future through a transportation network that helps move goods across Alberta to local, national or international destinations. The Alberta government is committed to providing support to municipalities and partnering with industry and other levels of government to create jobs, support strong communities and build for tomorrow.

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Backgrounder

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Queen Elizabeth II Highway and 41 Avenue South-west intermodal access

The Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QEII) and 41 Avenue South-west (SW) Access project consists of the design and construction of the intermodal access to the new intermodal facility for Canadian Pacific. The project involves the construction of a new interchange on the QEII Highway and 41 Avenue SW, including a grade separation for the new Canadian Pacific intermodal facility, realignment of QEII Highway from south of 41 Avenue SW to Ellerslie Road, a bridge structure crossing Blackmud Creek, and upgrades to 41 Avenue SW to handle the traffic generated from the new intermodal terminal.

The QEII is a key north-south provincial highway on the National Highway System used for both commuter trips and transporting commercial goods. The construction in south Edmonton is necessitated primarily by the relocation of the Canadian Pacific intermodal terminal further away from a residential area to a site adjacent to the proposed project. The relocation of the Canadian Pacific intermodal facility will reduce traffic congestion near the existing facility. The level of service in the intermodal facility will also increase as time savings will be generated for trucks entering and exiting the facility.

The total cost of this project is approximately $205 million, with the federal government contributing a maximum of $75 million under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. In addition to the proposed federal funding, the Province of Alberta is investing $57.5 million and the City of Edmonton is providing $72.5 million towards the interchange project.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

 
Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and
Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332

Parker Hogan
Press Secretary to the Minister of Transportation
780-643-9134
780-914-2869 cell
[email protected]

Kelly FitzGibbon
Communications Officer
Transportation Services
City of Edmonton
780-496-2812
[email protected]

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

Ed Greenberg
Media Relations
Canadian Pacific
612 849-4717

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