The Governments of Canada and Quebec invest in major work on Highway 389 between Baie-Comeau and Fermont

BAIE-COMEAU, QC, July 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Safe efficient road networks are key to maintaining economic productivity and a high quality of life for all Quebecers. The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing in transportation infrastructure throughout the province to improve the flow of travellers and goods.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, and Véronyque Tremblay, Minister for Transport today confirmed their commitment to investing $468 million in Highway 389 improvements between Baie-Comeau and Fermont.

The Government of Canada is contributing over $183 million to the project under the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—National and Regional Projects. The Government of Quebec is contributing $285 million, with $190 million coming from the Société du Plan Nord, and $95 million from the Quebec Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification.

The success of Plan Nord depends on the Highway 389 Improvement Program, which will facilitate access to the region north of the 49th parallel, improve residents' quality of life and create the conditions required for companies to invest in mining development projects in the Labrador Trough. This improved land link with Newfoundland and Labrador is vital to creating an economic corridor in northeastern Canada.

Quotes

"We are proud to announce funding for Highway 389, a key transportation corridor in Northern Quebec. This rehabilitation work will greatly improve safety and access to remote municipalities on the North Coast. Our government is committed to making historic investments in infrastructure to ensure our roads are modern, safe and efficient. These investments are promoting economic growth and helping create well-paid middle-class jobs."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Highway 389 is essential to the development of the Côte-Nord. The work planned as part of the Highway 389 Improvement Program will not only improve user safety, but also driving conditions. The improvement program is also perfectly aligned with the Quebec Premier's mandate under the cooperation agreement between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador to create an economic corridor between the two provinces. Improving transportation infrastructure in each province will stimulate both our economies."

Véronyque Tremblay, Quebec Minister for Transport

"This confirmation of funding for the Highway 389 Improvement Project is one more step towards the project's realization. Through its investments, the SPN is contributing significantly to the rehabilitation of this strategic link, promoting access to Northern Quebec and ensuring the sustainability of the road network and encouraging the development of the Côte-Nord's economic potential. This initiative is also part of our desire to maintain a strategic partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Pierre Moreau, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for Plan Nord and Minister Responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region

"In all of my trips to the North Coast, the challenge of access has been raised. This is a key element of its economic development and a priority for the region. In our recent infrastructure plan for Quebec, $232 million has been set aside for extending Highway 389. So today, we have more good news to add to this funding announcement for Highway 389. Our government is committed to opening up the North Coast and we are taking action to do so."

Pierre Arcand, Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, Chair of the Treasury Board, and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region

Quick Facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

• Over the next 10 years, the Government of Quebec plans to invest over $100.4 billion from the province's infrastructure plan in education, health and transportation to improve families' quality of life and create the conditions that support innovation and economic growth.

• The aim of Plan Nord is to promote the potential for mining, forestry, energy, tourism, and social and cultural development in Quebec north of the 49th parallel. It will create jobs and wealth for northern communities and for Quebec as a whole, while ensuring respect for the northern population and the environment. By harmonizing the economic, social and environmental aspects of Plan Nord, the Quebec government intends to make it a responsible, sustainable and unifying project for Quebec society. The Société du Plan Nord is the agency responsible for the plan's implementation.

• From 2018 to 2020, investments in the North Coast region's transportation network, including these improvements to Highway 389, will maintain and create more than 3,000 jobs.

Related Links

Investing in Canada – Canada's long-term infrastructure plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Quebec:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

For further information on the Quebec government's public infrastructure priorities, refer to the Plan québécois des infrastructures (French only).

Société du Plan Nord:
http://www.plannord.gouv.qc.ca/

Highway 389 Improvement Program (French only):
https://www.transports.gouv.qc.ca/fr/projets-infrastructures/projets/reseau-routier/projets-routiers/cote-nord/Pages/amelioration-route-389.aspx.

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; Marie-Ève Dion, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Transport, Tel.: [phone]; Catherine Poulin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for the Plan Nord and Minister Responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region, Tel.: [phone]; Cynthia St-Hilaire, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, Chair of the Conseil du trésor and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region, Tel.: [phone]; For information: Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Relations, Communications Directorate, Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports, Tel.: [phone], Montreal: 514-873-5600, Toll-free: 1-866-341-5724

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/