BC Gov News

Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification, and Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson–Cariboo was joined today by Todd Stone, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, to announce federal funding of over $18.3 million and $76.1 million in provincial funding for the expansion of Highway 1 from Hoffman’s Bluff to west of Chase.

Located west of Chase, the project will expand a 7.5-kilometre section of Highway 1 from two lanes to four lanes, and ties into the 16 kilometres of four-laning improvements currently completed or under way between Monte Creek and Hoffman’s Bluff. The improvements will increase safety for highway users and contribute to better traffic flow in the region.

The New Building Canada Plan is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada’s history. This unprecedented commitment is providing $53 billion to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure between 2014 and 2024.

Over this ten year period, British Columbia will benefit from approximately $3.9 billion in dedicated federal funding, including almost $1.1 billion under the New Building Canada Fund.

This project is also part of the Province of B.C.’s 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move and represents a priority in the plan to advance four-laning projects on Highway 1 between Kamloops and Golden to improve safety and capacity.

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada has selected the five-kilometre Hoffman’s Bluff to Chase Creek Road section for funding consideration of up to one half of eligible costs, to a maximum of $18,342,200 under the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects. This funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.
• The Government of British Columbia will be contributing the remaining $29,163,922 to the Hoffman’s Bluff to Chase Creek Road section. The total estimated cost of the project is $47,506,122.
• Additionally, the Province of B.C. will be investing $47 million to improve the remaining 2.5 kilometres from Chase Creek Road to Chase West.
• The Province’s B.C. on the Move plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network provides a comprehensive road map for transportation investments and strategic policy actions over the next decade, and is supported by a $2.5 billion provincial investment over the next three years alone.
• The $53 billion New Building Canada Plan provides stable funding for a 10-year period, and includes:
  • The Community Improvement Fund, consisting of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, which will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit and recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.
  • The $14-billion New Building Canada Fund, which consists of:
    • The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component that will support projects of national significance; and
    • The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component for projects of national, regional and local significance. Of this amount, $1billion for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000residents through the Small Communities Fund.
• An additional $1.25 billion in funding for the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada.

Quotes:

Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification and Member of Parliament for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec ─

“Our Government’s support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. We are pleased to work with the Province of British Columbia to approve projects under the New Building Canada Fund, to ensure that infrastructure funding continues to flow in British Columbia as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada. We are proud to invest in this transportation project. It will increase commuter safety and improve the flow of traffic between Chase and Kamloops.”

Todd Stone, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ─

“These projects on the Trans-Canada Highway have a firm foundation in partnerships, and today we have the funding in place to continue this upgrade all the way to Chase. Through this work, we are improving the quality of life for British Columbians by providing better, safer connections between communities.”

Associated Links

To learn more about the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrppnr-prog-eng.html

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html

Learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy, consult Canada’s Economic Action Plan at: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html

Learn more about B.C. on the Move at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

Follow the work of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at: http://tranbc.ca/