NB 851
Aug. 28, 2002
FREDERICTON (CNB) - A cost-sharing agreement for a $10 million highway construction project on Fredericton's Vanier Highway was announced today by federal Labour Minister Claudette Bradshaw on behalf of Transport Canada Minister David Collenette, New Brunswick Transportation Minister Percy Mockler, Fredericton MP Andy Scott, and Justice Minister Brad Green.
"I am pleased that $5 million of federal funds from the Highway Improvement Program is being used for this highway construction project," Collenette said. "This project, which will enhance safety and improve the flow of traffic and goods, is an excellent example of co-operation between the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick."
"I am very pleased the Province and the federal government have been able to work together to come to this agreement. This project is another piece in our work to complete the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway," Mockler said. "When the work on this connection is complete, the Trans-Canada Highway in our province will be completely twinned from Fredericton to the Nova Scotia border."
The project consists of twinning a 2.3-kilometre section of Route 7, which is part of the National Highway System, between the Trans-Canada Highway and Doak Road in the City of Fredericton. This section of highway serves as the Route 2 East Fredericton high speed-connector.
"This project will play an important role in helping to reduce the highway accident rate in the area and in boosting the local economy. It will benefit the people of New Brunswick," Bradshaw said.
"The East Fredericton Route 2 high-speed connector is vital to the economic development of the greater Fredericton region and will provide efficient access for people and goods to our capital city," Green said.
The federal and the provincial governments will each contribute $5 million to the project. The funding is provided under the existing Canada/New Brunswick Highway Improvement Program, designed to promote economic development through the joint financing of the construction and improvement of key highway links in New Brunswick.
"Today's announcement is welcome news for residents of the province, and our business community," Scott said. "This kind of support is crucial to the economic development of the province."
The Canada/New Brunswick Highway Improvement Program began in 1987 with total funding of $145 million. The program has been extended to March 2004 with total funding of $637 million. To date, more than 70 projects have been funded under the program. All funds under the program will be invested by 2004.
02/08/28
MEDIA CONTACTS: Anthony Polci, director of communications, Office of the Minister, Transportation, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Tracey Burkhardt, director of communications, New Brunswick Department of Transportation, 506-453-5634.
02/08/28