August 29, 2002

Federal and provincial governments contribute $10 million to improve New Brunswick highway

Ottawa, Ontario - The government of Canada and the government of New Brunswick today announced a cost sharing agreement for a $10 million highway construction project on Fredericton's Vanier Highway. The federal government contributed half of the $10 million cost.

The announcement was attended by Minister of Labour and MP (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe) Claudette Bradshaw, and MP (Fredericton) Andy Scott, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with New Brunswick Transportation Minister Percy Mockler, New Brunswick Justice Minister Brad Green, and MLA (Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak) Eric MacKenzie.

"I am very pleased that the province and the federal government have been able to work together to come to this agreement. This project is another piece in our government's work to complete the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway," Mr. 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," Ms Bradshaw said.

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.

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