The Government of Canada Will Invest Over $3.5 million in Prince George, B.C. Transportation Infrastructure

(Transport Canada)

The federal government, under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, will invest a total of $3.5 million in two road projects in Prince George.

This represents a joint investment in excess of $7 million with the City of Prince George. Richard Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable James Moore, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific Gateway) (2010 Olympics) (Official Languages).

“Connecting North America and the Asia-Pacific more efficiently and reliably benefits local communities, the Canadian economy as well as Canada’s trading partners,” said Mr. Harris. “These projects will help relieve road congestion and make roads in our community safer.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to concrete measures that contribute to a more productive and competitive economy. The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is an important example,” said the Honourable James Moore.

“These projects will enhance transportation infrastructure safety and efficiency related to the movement of international trade through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor.”

Improvements to two concurrent sections of River Road were selected for funding, following a call for proposals.

The projects involve:

• upgrading of 1.9 km between Cameron Street Bridge and Foley Crescent; and

• widening of 1.7 km between Foley Crescent and the CN Fraser River Bridge and installing left turn lanes to access the CN facility.

River Road is the primary road access to CN’s Intermodal facility in Prince George and improving traffic flow along this corridor is essential to the community and the businesses that use this route.

“The Government of Canada has made the economic growth and competitiveness of northern British Columbia with Asia top priorities,” said Minister Cannon. “The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative reflects the importance this government places in an integrated, safe, secure, and sustainable transportation system.”

On October 11, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI), with an initial investment of $591 million. A further commitment of $410 million was made in Budget 2007, bringing total federal funding for the APGCI to more than $1 billion.

In two years, the Government of Canada has partnered with British Columbia and other western provinces, municipalities and the private sector, to announce strategic infrastructure projects worth more than $2.4 billion, including federal contributions of almost $900 million.

Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada plan, the Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Federal funding for these projects is conditional upon the negotiation of contribution agreements, approval by the federal Treasury Board and completion of any applicable federal environmental assessments required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.