Wheeler Blvd, Riverview Bridge, and Dieppe Connectors-2006 Funding Announced

This just in from Ottawa regarding the long anticipated Federal funding of Moncton's Big Dig to extend the access highway from the Riverview-Moncton Bridge as well as the connections to Dieppe, have been announced by the Harper Government.

I know three Mayors, that despite their own personal political affiliations are breathing easier and sleeping sounder tonight as a result of this announcement. Here's what the confirmation of funding accomplishes. Here's the announcement.

THE GREATER MONCTON AREA BYBASS PROJECTS:

Agreement signed for urban bypass projects in Greater Moncton

The Greater Moncton Area's retail, distribution and manufacturing sectors are the basis of further economic growth and rely on efficient free flowing highway links to New Brunswick's arterial highway system.

The bypass construction projects are designed to provide access-controlled alternative routes to existing heavily used and congested urban area streets, improving the efficiency and safety of the Greater Moncton Area municipal transportation network, and support transport-dependent businesses. Contracted work includes:

• Moncton: The Moncton bypass project involves the extension of Vaughan Harvey and Assomption boulevards to connect with the new bridge across the Petitcodiac River to Riverview. These connections will allow traffic to bypass a portion of Main Street as well as several other congested downtown streets providing better access to several arterial routes throughout the city.
  
• Dieppe: The Dieppe bypass project will extend Dieppe Boulevard from Englehart Street to Melanson Road and continue the development of the Dieppe Industrial Park by allowing traffic to bypass the heavily congested Champlain/Acadie intersection and more easily access Route 15 and Route 2.
  
• Riverview: The Riverview bypass project will connect Riverview with the south side of the new bridge (across the Petitcodiac River) and provide a bypass around the southern portion of the Town that will connect to Findlay Boulevard and the Petitcodiac River Causeway.

Travellers in the Greater Moncton Area will be safer and traffic congestion will be reduced thanks to investments by all three levels of government for the construction of urban bypasses located in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

The governments of Canada and New Brunswick will each contribute up to$11.5 million for the completion of the three projects. The municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview are also contributing to these projects.

The signing of the funding agreement was announced today by the Honorable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Regional Minister for New Brunswick, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Bernard Lord,Premier of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Transportation Minister, the Honourable Paul Robichaud, together with the Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton,Dieppe Mayor Achille Maillet and Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland.

"The Greater Moncton Area transportation corridor is one of New Brunswick's busiest travelling routes and provides direct access to the area as well as nearby communities", said Minister Thompson.

"This Government is committed to improve the quality of life of the residents of New Brunswick.This contribution agreement means safer travel, less trucks on city streets and less time spent in traffic."

"The Province of New Brunswick is pleased to work with the Government of Canada and the municipalities to further the transportation objectives of the Greater Moncton area and bring greater prosperity to the region," said Premier Bernard Lord. "These new bypasses, in combination with the Gunningsville Bridge, will fundamentally change our communities for the better."

The bypass construction projects will support businesses that are dependent on effective transportation in and around Moncton.

"The City of Moncton is extremely pleased to see the Greater Moncton Area corridor project move forward. I want to sincerely thank the governments of Canada and New Brunswick for their commitment and generous financial contribution, and for recognizing the need for such an important project for a growing region like Greater Moncton," commented Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton.

"Our communities will benefit from this key piece of infrastructure in many areas including economic development, the environment, an improved flow of traffic, and public safety."

"The construction of the Dieppe Boulevard will alleviate some of our traffic concerns as well as provide new lands for development," Dieppe Mayor Achille Maillet said. "We need this new access because of our rapid population growth."

"The new East/West Corridor is strategically important to the Town of Riverview," said Mayor Clarence Sweetland. "The roadway will open up land for future development and improve traffic flows. By linking into the new Gunningsville Bridge, this phase of the East/West Corridor will give Riverview residents and businesses direct and easy access into Moncton and Dieppe. It will help us to continue to make Riverview a great place to grow!"

The federal contribution towards these three projects comes from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which supports large-scale projects of major national and regional significance, in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians.

The Government of Canada's 2006 Federal Budget committed an unprecedented$16.5 billion over the next four years for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure, including an additional $2 billion for the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

If you want to learn more information directly on this announcement regarding the federal and provincial infrastructure initiatives that benefit the communities of New Brunswick, please visit the Infrastructure Canada Web site at www.infrastructure.gc.ca or the Government of New Brunswick site at www.gnb.ca.