Governments invest in local infrastructure for Perth-andover and florenceville-bristol

March 14, 2009

PERTH-ANDOVER (NB) – March 14, 2009 -- Residents of Perth-Andover and Florenceville-Bristol will benefit from joint federal and provincial investments to improve local water and wastewater services. Combined federal and provincial funding of over $1.5 million was announced today by Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, and Dr. Larry Kennedy, MLA for Victoria-Tobique. These projects are just two examples of the commitment of both governments to strengthening the New Brunswick economy and improving the quality of life for its residents. 

The projects will enhance local facilities and services and create local jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.

“The Government of Canada is working together with provincial and municipal governments to deliver results to the people of New Brunswick through important water and sewer system upgrades in Perth-Andover and Florenceville-Bristol,” said MP Allen. “Our federal investment of more than $790,000 will make a difference in these two communities by improving the quality of life for the people who live and work there, and by helping the local economy now and for years to come.”

Federal, provincial and municipal governments will each invest up to $577,252 in the
Perth-Andover project, which involves the upgrade of two existing wells and a line to service the Andover standpipe. In Florenceville-Bristol, each of the three levels of government will invest up to $217,109 to extend the sanitary sewer along Centreville Road.

“Our government’s investment will help ensure communities like Perth-Andover and Florenceville-Bristol continue to be places where people can live in a healthy, clean and safe environment,” said Dr. Kennedy. “Ensuring that we have strong infrastructure is vital in order for New Brunswick to remain positioned to be self-sufficient.”  Dr. Kennedy spoke on behalf of Environment Minister Roland Haché.

The Perth-Andover project includes improvements to the existing buildings and water system, the implementation of an ultra violet disinfection system as well as a line upgrade to increase the capacity of water from the Perth well to Andover. The project will improve service reliability and efficiency for water treatment and distribution, increase fire-protection capabilities as well as increase access to improved water quality for residents.

The Florenceville-Bristol project involves the extension of sewer services along the Centreville Road. The project will allow current households and businesses to decommission septic systems and connect to the municipal sanitary sewer system. In addition, it is expected that undeveloped properties with the ability to connect to the municipal system will become more attractive to commercial and industrial developers as development costs will be reduced.

Funding for these projects is contingent on completion of all contractual agreements, including pending Environmental Impact Assessments with municipalities. 

These projects are two of 32 across the province that will get underway quickly thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of more than $38 million. Together with municipal contributions, the total investment in local infrastructure improvements in New Brunswick during this first intake of projects exceeds $57 million. The governments of Canada and New Brunswick have taken steps to flow money faster to advance targeted infrastructure projects in New Brunswick communities in the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.