October 9, 2007
"Building Canada" -- Stronger, Safer, Better Canada's New Government And Province Of Manitoba To Invest In Highway Interchange And Grade Separation Projects Near Portage La Prairie
WINNIPEG — Canada’s New Government and the Province of Manitoba today announced a proposed strategic infrastructure project under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI). The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, along with the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, made the announcement.
As part of the APGCI, Canada’s New Government will invest up to $21 million for the construction of an interchange of the TransCanada and Yellowhead highways and of a road/rail grade separation at the Canadian National Railway (CNR) main line. The junction of these highways is seven kilometres west of the City of Portage La Prairie. This investment flows through the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Plan for infrastructure.
“Manitoba plays an integral role in Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative,” said Minister Toews. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that Canada’s New Government is delivering on its commitment to invest in priority infrastructure projects as part of the Building Canada Plan.”
“Investing in strategic infrastructure is key to Canada’s competitiveness in the rapidly changing world of global commerce, and benefits our communities,” said Minister Cannon. “We are committed to establishing the Gateway and Corridor system as the best link between North America and Asia, and will continue to work with the provinces and stakeholders to make it happen.”
“This new interchange is critical to making sure we have a competitive transportation and logistics system all the way from our West Coast ports to the heartland of the North American market,” said Minister Emerson. “By strengthening our links to the fast-growing economies of Asia, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative will bring benefits to communities all across Canada.”
The proposed project is expected to cost approximately $50 million and incorporates two components:
- upgrading an at-grade, traffic signal-controlled intersection at the TransCanada and Yellowhead highways to a grade-separated interchange; and
- upgrading the at-grade crossing at the nearby CNR main line to a grade-separated facility.
The TransCanada and Yellowhead highways with the CNR main line are two of the three primary east-west transportation corridors across Canada (the other being the Canadian Pacific Railway main line). These corridors are the main conduit for international trade traffic to and from Eastern Canada, Western Canada and the Asia-Pacific rim.
“We are pleased to announce that we have set aside a total of $29 million in provincial support for this project, which will be another step in our unprecedented investment in our highways and infrastructure,” said Minister Lemieux. “This will also boost our economic opportunities and growth. The Trans Canada Highway and the Yellowhead Route are key to Manitoba’s expanding role as a strategic link to the Asia-Pacific gateways and corridors.”
This project will improve intermodal connectivity by facilitating truck and rail movements to rail container yards in Winnipeg and other intermodal facilities located in this region. It will also improve access to the border crossing with United States, to Eastern Canada markets, and to the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
The local community will benefit from this project, which will improve traffic flow and enhance transportation infrastructure safety and security. The proposed road and rail grade separation will also result in environmental benefits, as these upgrades will reduce congestion and vehicle emissions.
The APGCI is a national initiative that will provide economic benefits to all Canadians. In its first eight months, APGCI projects valued at $2.2 billion were announced across all four western provinces, including a federal contribution of almost $800 million. The project announced today was submitted for APGCI funding and ranked well within APGCI criteria.
Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country. Over the last several months, the Government of Canada has met with provinces, territories and the municipal sector to discuss the Building Canada Plan with a view to signing agreements and beginning to fund initiatives under the plan.
The funding announced today is conditional on the project meeting eligibility requirements under the Building Canada Plan and successful negotiation with the province of Manitoba of subsequent agreements and a full federal due diligence.
For more information about Canada’s APGCI, please visit www.apgci.gc.ca, and for more information on the Building Canada Plan, please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
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