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Government Partnership to replace the Souris Bridge and help improve the National Highway System

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Regional Minister for PEI and Member of Parliament for Egmont, was joined today by Robert Vessey, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal for Prince Edward Island, to announce the first eligible projects in Prince Edward Island under the New Building Canada Fund. The Government of Canada has set aside up to $5.68 million to support the replacement of the Souris Bridge, as well as three improvement projects to the National Highway System (NHS) in Prince Edward Island.

Constructed in 1976, the current Souris Bridge is showing signs of aging. The federal funding announced today will enable its replacement with a new structure expected to last 75 years. The new bridge will span over 128 metres and will stand a metre higher to account for the expected rise in sea level over its lifespan. A new left turning lane from Route 2 onto the Lower Rollo Bay Road will also be added.

Funding is also being set aside for significant upgrades to Routes 1 and 2 of the NHS in PEI. Road improvements will make it safer and easier to make left turns along Route 1 near Bonshaw, while a 1,350 metre segment of Route 1 near Tryon will be rehabilitated to meet current safety guidelines. In addition, the intersection of Route 2 and Route 25 in Marshfield will be redesigned to increase safety and add a new acceleration lane onto Route 2.

The New Building Canada Fund is a component of the New Building Canada Plan, the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada’s history. This unprecedented commitment will provide $53 billion over the next decade to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure.

Over the next ten years, Prince Edward Island will benefit from approximately $440 million in dedicated federal funding, including almost $277 million under the New Building Canada Fund.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is conditionally setting aside up to one half of total estimated eligible costs, to a maximum of $5.68 million for these four infrastructure projects under the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National/Regional Projects. This funding is conditional on the projects meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.

• The Government of Prince Edward Island will be responsible for all remaining costs of the projects, which has an estimated eligible cost of approximately $11.36 million.

• 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:

(a) the $4-billion National Infrastructure Component that will support projects of national significance; and

(b) the $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component for projects of national, regional and local significance. Of this amount, $1 billion for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents through the Small Communities Fund.

- An additional $1.25 billion in funding for the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada.

- $6 billion in funding continues to flow across the country this year and beyond under existing infrastructure programs.

Quotes

“Our Government’s support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. We are pleased to approve projects under the New Building Canada Plan, to ensure that infrastructure funding continues to flow in Prince Edward Island as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada. We are proud to invest in the replacement of the Souris Bridge, which will increase efficiency, mobility and safety, and will also ensure the economic growth of the region by improving the gateway to Souris and the ferry to the Magdalen Islands. The improvements of the Trans-Canada Highway system will also provide smoother and safer commuting for residents and visitors alike.”

- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Regional Minister for PEI and Member of Parliament for Egmont

“The Prince Edward Island Government continues to make strategic investments to improve the safety and efficiency of our Island roads, bridges and infrastructure in communities across our province. We are pleased to invest in the replacement of the Souris Bridge and recognize its importance to the Community of Souris, and as a key link in the gateway to our province from the Magdalene Islands. Continued improvements to our highways not only mean safer roads, they also improve the quality of life in our Island communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Minister Shea and the federal government in supporting Island communities in their efforts to modernize and improve the safety of their infrastructure.”

- The Honourable Robert Vessey, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal for Prince Edward Island

Associated Links

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

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

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada’s Economic Action Plan at www.eap.gc.ca.