Governments Of Canada And British Columbia Announce They Will Fund Highway Projects In B.C.
Photo L to R: Hon. Kevin Falcon, BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Premier Gordon Campbell, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, Ron Cannan and at the podium, Hon. Stockwell Day, MP Okanagan-Coquihalla and Minister of Public Safety
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will jointly fund up to $231 million worth of National Highway System improvements in the province, under the Building Canada Plan. A number of specific highway improvements will be announced in the coming weeks, demonstrating both governments’ commitment to developing world-class infrastructure.
The first project to receive funding involves constructing a 9-kilometre four lane highway west of the existing 2-lane section of Highway 97 between Winfield and Oyama, British Columbia. The federal government will provide up to $33.6 million through the Building Canada Fund, and the Province will contribute $44.3 million toward the total $77.9 million cost. Work is scheduled to be completed by 2012.
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, along with Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure of British Columbia, Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning, made the announcement today.
“This announcement shows that the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are effectively working together to help move people and goods in British Columbia,” said
Minister Day.
“These investments position the Government of Canada as a leader in expanding existing infrastructure capacity, reducing congestion, enhancing the safety of Canada’s transportation system and improving the flow of people and goods across the country,” said Minister Cannon.
“This investment is an outstanding example of our ongoing partnership with the federal government, and our continued commitment to deliver needed road projects throughout the province,” said Premier Campbell. “We’re enhancing B.C.’s highway system to improve safety, enhance the flow of goods and people, and tap into new opportunities in trade and tourism.”
“The Winfield-Oyama project is terrific news for this growing region,” said Minister Falcon. “The road upgrades will improve safety, stimulate further growth in our economy, and help to boost our competitiveness by moving people and goods more efficiently.”
