Fredericton, New Brunswick - Federal and provincial officials have broken ground on the first phase of the Nashwaak/Marysville Bypass on Route 8 in New Brunswick, the beginning of a 36-kilometre project that will eliminate trucking in a residential community and relieve congestion.

Funding for the project is provided through a five-year, $214-million commitment by the governments of Canada and New Brunswick.

The new controlled-access highway will bypass the existing Route 8 for a distance of 36 km from Marysville to South Portage along the east side of the Nashwaak River. It will eliminate through-trucking in the residential community of Marysville, relieve congestion on Route 8 and Bridge Street in Marysville, and provide a faster, safer and more efficient route for through traffic.

“We are pleased that construction on the long-awaited Nashwaak/Marysville bypass is finally beginning,” said Denis Landry, New Brunswick’s Minister of Transportation. “When this important piece of strategic infrastructure is complete, Route 8 will be a safer, more efficient highway that supports economic development and growth in central and northeastern New Brunswick.”

The $124 million Nashwaak/Marysville bypass projects include two interchanges, seven structures, wildlife fencing and climbing lanes for trucks, and is scheduled for completion in 2015. Route 8 is an arterial highway that connects communities in central and northeastern New Brunswick to the Fredericton and the Trans-Canada Highway, and is the principal access route for the area’s resource-based economy, especially the forest industry.