Province, Federal Government Fund Improvements for Bridges, Highway 125
The twinning of Highway 125 in Cape Breton Regional Municipality and improvements to bridges in Victoria County and Sheet Harbour are now considered priorities for funding.
Deputy Premier Frank Corbett, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks, federal Minister of Transport John Baird and Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence made the announcement today, Nov. 6.
"Government is committed to creating secure jobs and improving opportunities for Nova Scotians, while supporting the growth of our economy and our communities," said Mr. Corbett. "To do this, we need to make sure that communities have the infrastructure they need to attract new business, while ensuring safe and efficient travel."
"These projects have an important impact on communities," said Mr. Estabrooks. "Each project brings employment, along with long-lasting benefits of safer roads and a stronger transportation system."
"The government of Canada is focused on getting work underway, creating jobs and stimulating regional economies as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan," said Mr. Baird. "We are proud of the investments we're announcing today, which are on top of the more than $30 million we committed to road improvements across Nova Scotia just last month."
"I am proud to be apart of today's important infrastructure announcement," said Mr. MacKay. "The twinning of Highway 125 and these bridge improvements are concrete examples of the action the government of Canada is taking to contribute to Nova Scotia's long-term economic growth while building strong and safe roads and bridges that will have great benefits for motorists across this province."
The Highway 125 project involves twinning a segment of Highway 125 between Sydney River and Grand Lake Road. The two bridge-improvement projects are the Hume River Bridge on Highway 105 on the Trans-Canada Highway (Victoria County) and the East River Bridge on Trunk 7 in Sheet Harbour (Halifax Regional Municipality).
Nova Scotia will fund up to 50 per cent of total eligible costs for the Highway 125 twinning and two bridge projects: up to $15.3 million for the Highway 125 twinning (total estimated project cost of $30.6 million); up to $2.25 million for the Hume River Bridge (total estimated project cost of $4.5 million); and up to $7.2 million for the East River Bridge (total estimated project cost of $14.4 million). The federal government will match the provincial contribution for each project.
The announcement builds on the more than $100 million announced this past September through Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for construction and rehabilitation projects for Nova Scotia's major highways and bridges. This past month, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced an additional $31 million towards local road upgrades across Nova Scotia.
Federal funding for these projects will come from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund. Funding is conditional on projects meeting requirements of the Building Canada Fund and signing contribution agreements with the province.
Canada's Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years.
Canada and Nova Scotia are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently so that construction can begin as soon as possible.