Federal, Provincial and Municipal Partnership to Reduce Traffic Congestion in Winnipeg

Plessis Road underpass will make travel safer and faster

WINNIPEG - Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in Winnipeg's east end will soon have a safer and faster commute. Federal, provincial and municipal officials announced today that the Plessis Road Underpass is being considered as a priority for funding under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund.

"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that create local jobs, promote economic growth and improve Winnipeggers' quality of life," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba. "I am happy to know that our investment will make travel safer and faster on one of the busiest stretches of road in Winnipeg."

�Our financial support of improvements to Winnipeg's roads and transportation infrastructure clearly demonstrates the province's commitment to creating safe and efficient routes for all modes of transportation, particularly in high traffic areas,� said Infrastructure & Transportation Minister Steve Ashton, on behalf of Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux. �We are pleased to join with our partners to move this important project forward.�

�Winnipeggers have made it very clear that improving the City's infrastructure is a top priority,� said Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg. �Creating separate routes for trains, motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians makes everyone's commute safer and faster. This commitment to the Plessis Road Underpass shows what we can achieve when all three levels of government work together to improve municipal infrastructure.�

The project would see the construction of a bi-directional rail bridge, the reconstruction and widening of close to a kilometre of Plessis Road, the construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, the lowering of Dugald Road to accommodate the addition of the underpass, and the construction of a pump house and land drainage system to drain the proposed underpass.

At present, several trains block the busy Plessis Road intersection every day, resulting in increased commute times. Once completed, this project will reduce traffic congestion on Plessis Road, and provide a safer commute for users.

Under the Building Canada Fund-Major Infrastructure Component, the Government of Canada is setting aside up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum federal contribution of $25 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at $77 million, with up to $25 million funded by the Province, and the balance of $27 million provided by the City of Winnipeg.

Federal funding is conditional upon the completion of a federal review of the project, the completion of environment assessments and implementation of recommendations required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the signing of a contribution agreement.

Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to create jobs, generate economic growth and ensure long-term prosperity. Over the course of the summer, the Government of Canada will be engaging provinces, territories and stakeholders in a series of roundtables to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. In addition, the Government of Canada will hold a roundtable with national stakeholders and representatives of the private sector at the end of the summer. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.

For more information on the Building Canada Plan, and on investments in Winnipeg and in Manitoba by Infrastructure Canada, please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To learn more about Manitoba's infrastructure projects, please visit www.infrastructure.mb.ca.

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