September 16, 2002

Federal and New Brunswick governments fund $29.2 million in highway improvements

Dieppe, New Brunswick - Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Labour Minister and MP (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe) Claudette Bradshaw, New Brunswick Transportation Minister Percy Mockler, and New Brunswick Minister of Family and Community Services Joan MacAlpine, today announced an agreement to provide joint funding of $29.2 million until March 2006 for highway improvement projects in New Brunswick.

This agreement is part of the $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) announced by Mr. Collenette in April 2001.

"I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is providing an additional $14.6 million in funding for New Brunswick highways through this agreement," said Mr. Collenette. "Continuing the partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick is a very important element in making real improvements to our highway infrastructure."

"SHIP will contribute to the Prime Minister's commitment to completing the construction of a four-lane Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick on a 50-50 shared cost basis, announced on August 14," said Mrs. Bradshaw.

In addition to the agreement, five construction projects on the Trans-Canada Highway Route 2 were announced:

• $10 million in joint funding will be allocated for the twinning of a 5.2 kilometre section of Route 2, and portions of a 28.5 kilometre by-pass south of Route 2, between Woodstock and Pokiok.

• $8.1 million in joint funding will be allocated for the twinning of a 3.4 kilometre section of Route 2, from a location approximately 1.5 kilometres west of the Longs Creek interchange, to the Route 2/Route 635 interchange. Ramps at the Route 2/Route 635 intersection will also be upgraded, and a service road will be constructed;

• $4.1 million in joint funding will be allocated for the construction of a new interchange and grade separation at the Route 2/Lockhart Mill road interchange at Jacksonville;

• $3.5 million in joint funding will be allocated for the construction of eastbound and westbound ramps that serve Route 2, at Edmundston; and

• $3.5 million in joint funding will be allocated for the replacement, relocation, and reconfiguration of two eastbound ramps that connect Route 2 and Route 110, in Florenceville.

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