November 4, 2016
Increasing Safety and Access to Active Transportation in Portage La Prairie
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE—Preserving and enhancing natural landscapes while promoting regional connectivity is critical for the health and well-being of Canadians. It allows families to access parks and other amenities, share unique experiences, and have the quality of life that Canadians want and deserve.
The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba today announced support for improvements to two sections of Portage la Prairie’s well-used Fisher Avenue Pathway through the federal Gas Tax Fund. Lighting will be installed along the Fisher Avenue Path adjacent to the railway from 18th Street to Saskatchewan Avenue and along 18th Street from the railway to Park Drive. The project will make the path more accessible, safer and easier to navigate in the evenings.
Thanks to the federal Gas Tax Fund, residents will be able to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle, whether through commuting, exercising or spending an afternoon of outdoor family fun.
Quotes
“Infrastructure is key to helping the middle class find good jobs and boosts economic development. This is why the Government of Canada is providing unprecedented funding for infrastructure projects that will promote sustainable development and long-term prosperity in communities across the country. By financing projects like Portage la Prairie’s Fisher Avenue path, we will build the infrastructure of the 21st century and ensure a high quality of life for generations to come.” – the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
“Pathways like this encourage families and friends to be active and spend quality time together while enjoying the great outdoors. Manitoba’s new government is ensuring municipalities have a fair say in how infrastructure funds are invested in their communities, and remains committed to reducing red tape and making it easier for municipalities to access funding for local priority projects.” – Honourable Ian Wishart, Minister of Education and Training.
“We appreciate the support on this project from our partners in the federal and provincial governments. This active transportation path is already well used by citizens of Portage la Prairie. The installation of new lighting in the area will greatly enhance safety and extend the hours of use. Active transportation infrastructure helps promote an active, healthy lifestyle for all of our citizens.” – Irvine Ferris, Mayor, City of Portage la Prairie.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada contributed up to $50,000, in part through the Small Communities Transportation Fund administered by Manitoba, out of the annual federal Gas Tax Fund allocation to the province. The total estimated cost of the project is $148,000.
- Between 2014 and 2019, the Government of Canada is providing over $340 million in funding, including $68,744,285 in 2016, for municipal infrastructure in Manitoba through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
- The federal Gas Tax Fund provides Canadian municipalities with a permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding.
- It offers local communities the flexibility to make strategic investments across 18 different project categories, including roads and bridges, public transit, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and recreational facilities.
Associated links
www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2016/docs/themes/infrastructure-en.html
www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/mb-eng.html
www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html
www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html
www.gov.mb.ca/ia/bldgcomm/sctf.html
www.gov.mb.ca/ia/fedgastax/index.html
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the governments of Canada and Manitoba and the City of Portage la Prairie.
Contacts
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
David von Meyenfeldt
Press Secretary
Manitoba Government – Communications & Stakeholder Relations
204-945-1494
David.vonMeyenfeldt@leg.gov.mb.ca
Jean-Marc Nadeau
City Manager
City of Portage la Prairie
204-239-8336
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca