Lunenburg and Bridgewater Receive Infrastructure Funding

Residents of Bridgewater and Lunenburg will benefit from improvements to their water and wastewater systems thanks to funding under the communities component of the Building Canada Fund.

Federal, provincial and municipal funding of $3,652,800 was announced today, Feb. 20, by Premier Rodney MacDonald and Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade.

"This investment is part of one of the largest infrastructure programs in the history of the province," said Premier MacDonald. "We are building for growth with infrastructure and financial support to create and protect jobs. This will work with other measures to stimulate the economy and prepare for a stronger future.

"Projects like the one we're announcing today will contribute to stronger communities and a stronger economy."

"These South Shore projects are being funded under the government of Canada's $33-billion Building Canada fund," said Mr. Keddy. "This fund, together with the additional infrastructure stimulus announced in the recent federal budget, is about providing long-term stable and predictable funding to help meet the needs of communities across Nova Scotia and Canada."

The project with the Town of Bridgewater includes the installation of new storm sewers and part of the sanitary sewer system. The project will also enable backup power to be installed at two pumping stations. About 150 households will benefit from improved wastewater treatment. The total cost of the project is $2,303,400, to be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments and the Town of Bridgewater.

The project with the Town of Lunenburg includes the installation of new sanitary sewers, a pumping station and a watermain replacement for 50 households. The removal of the current sewer outfall will eliminate untreated wastewater from entering Lunenburg's front harbour. The total cost of the project is $1,349,400, to be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments and the Town of Lunenburg.

Under the communities component of the Building Canada Fund, the federal, provincial and municipal governments anticipate investing upwards of $111 million in infrastructure projects in smaller communities across Nova Scotia, between now and 2014.

"These projects are important steps to protecting our waterways," said Lloyd Hines, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "We will continue to work with our federal and provincial partners to find long-term solutions to our infrastructure needs and environmental sustainability."

For more information, call 424-5200 in Halifax, toll-free at 1-800-670-4357.