Allen Pleased With Over $8 Million in Highway Improvements for Riding

June 15, 2009

From left: Denis Landry, Minister of Transportation; Premier Shawn Graham; Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson; and Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen.

TOBIQUE-MACTAQUAC – Tobique-Mactaquac M.P. Mike Allen is pleased with the details of last Friday's Federal-Provincial Announcement on road funding for the Province of New Brunswick.

The announcement, made Friday, June 12, by Greg Thompson, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Premier Shawn Graham, will mean $70 million for 29 road projects across the province. The work will be completed over the next two construction seasons and funding is part of the Federal Government’s Economic Stimulus Package announced in the last budget.

“This funding will mean that four very important projects in Tobique-Mactaquac will receive $8.4 million,” said Mr. Allen after the announcement.

The four projects for Tobique-Mactaquac include:

• $2.1 million for the Hugh John Flemming Bridge Rehabilitation in Hartland.
• $2.7 million for the a section of Route 108 between Davis Mill and the Klokkedahl Hill Road
• $1.5 million for a section of Route 109 from the Perth-Andover Village Limit toward Craig Road, and 
• $2.1 million for Route 104 going from Route 585 to Millville Village East and East Branch of the Nackawic Stream to Route 610.

“These investments are important to our rural economy,” Mr. Allen said. “I know the folks who were involved in the day of action in and around the village of Millville last year will probably be pleased with the money to address that section of road.”

The total eligible cost of all 29 initiatives is $70.3 million. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $35.15 million, with a matching contribution from the province. These upgrades will improve safety, security and travel times for drivers living in, and travelling through, the province.

“This announcement is another example of what our government is doing to stimulate the economy and create jobs — for both the short term and the long term,” said Thompson. “This investment to improve New Brunswick's highways will have a real and lasting impact on our province, and keep people working during these tough economic times.”

The federal $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is a key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The fund invests in provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects that will be built during this year's and next year's construction seasons. More projects under the fund will be announced soon.

Canada and New Brunswick are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently to municipalities in New Brunswick.

The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund complements existing and long-term federal infrastructure funding by focusing on short-term objectives for economic stimulus. To further this goal of rapid economic stimulus, the fund will focus on construction-readiness as an important project selection criterion. The full $4 billion will be distributed in fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11. Projects will focus largely on the rehabilitation of existing assets such as water, wastewater, public transit, highways, roads, culture, parks, and trails.