The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Ron MacKinley, provincial Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, joined together today to commemorate the start of construction on the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway.
The project will see upgrades and expansion on the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway from the Murchison Lane to Park Street intersection. This stretch of highway will be reconstructed and expanded from a two-lane cross section to four lanes. Improvements will also be made to the Exhibition Drive and Garfield Street intersections as well as the Northridge/St. Peter's Road intersection.
“Expansion and upgrades to the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway is one of many stimulus projects which our government is proud to have contributed to across Prince Edward Island to create jobs and strengthen our economy,” said Minister Shea. “Expansion on this stretch of highway will benefit the economy and the quality of life of Prince Edward Island and its residents.”
“Through the Province’s Build PEI fund we continue to identify and address areas in need of improvement from one end of Prince Edward Island to the other,” said Minister MacKinley. “The expansion and re-alignment of the Charlottetown Perimeter Highway at Riverside Drive will improve safety and improve the efficient movement of people and goods on one of the province’s busiest sections of highway.”
Federal and provincial governments announced up to $6.5 million in funding to support this highway expansion project. The Government of Canada is contributing up to
$3.25 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a matching contribution from the Province of Prince Edward Island through Build PEI.
Also highlighted today was the start of construction on the Stratford Trans Canada Highway expansion project. This project will increase access on the main route from Stratford to Charlottetown and will include 1.5 km of highway widening between the Hillsborough Bridge and Clinton Avenue. Improvements to asphalt of existing lanes will also increase the highway’s structural strength and extend the life span of this important transportation route.
The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island announced up to $1.3 million in funding for this project. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $650,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a matching contribution from the Province of Prince Edward Island through Build PEI.
The federal $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is a key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Fund invests in construction-ready infrastructure projects that can be completed by March 31, 2011.
Canada and Prince Edward Island 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 Prince Edward Island.