No. H220/05
For release November 8, 2005

$8.1 MILLION FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL PARTNERSHIP
TO MAKE SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND SAFER

DUNCAN, B.C. — Minister of Industry and co-Senior Minister responsible for British Columbia David L. Emerson on behalf of federal Minister of Transport Jean-C. Lapierre and B.C. Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon today announced an $8.1-million highway safety upgrade on a section of the Trans-Canada Highway.

“This upgrade for the Trans-Canada in our province will mean a safer road for all users,” said Mr. Emerson. “The Trans-Canada is a main thoroughfare for goods, tourists and residents and therefore it is important to constantly upgrade this main route.”

“Today’s announcement is another example of what happens when governments work together in partnership to better Canada’s transportation system,” said Mr. Lapierre. “The funding for this infrastructure project will provide economic and safety benefits to this region.”

The Dougan Lake area upgrade is a Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) project, one of several cooperative partnerships between Transport Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation. The Government of Canada is contributing $2.6 million. To date, Canada has invested more than $660 million into improvements in British Columbia since 2003 under several contribution programs.

The work on the 3.3 kilometre section of Highway 1 between Cobble Hill and Duncan will improve the last remaining high-speed section of undivided four-lane roadway on the highway from Victoria to Nanaimo. This section of the highway has a higher collision rate than the provincial average for this type of road. The improvements are expected to reduce the number of collisions on this section of highway and provide a separation between local and highway traffic.

“A better transportation infrastructure keeps drivers safer and is building new economic possibilities for communities across the province,” said Mr. Falcon. “These safety improvements benefit everyone, from local residents to highway travellers and anglers headed for the fishing on Dougan Lake.”

The project will include the installation of median barriers, widening of shoulders, construction of frontage roads to improve safe highway access and surface repaving. Construction will begin in November and is due to be finished by March 2007.

“We are happy to be working with the federal and provincial governments on improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through the Est-Patrolas Indian Reserve,” said Chief Harvey Alphonse of the Cowichan Tribes. “The Dougan Lake project will keep our community safer and provide much needed business and employment opportunities for Cowichan Tribes and Khowutzun Mustimuhw Contractors.”

A backgrounder with further information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program is attached.

Visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services.

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BACKGROUNDER

STRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

The Government of Canada is committed to improving the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing in highway infrastructure across Canada. As part of this commitment, Transport Canada announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) in April 2001. The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component.

Under the highway component, the Government of Canada works with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the National Highway System that — because of growing traffic and increasing trade — need immediate attention. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians.

An allocation formula determines how much federal funding each province and territory receives with a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population. Provinces and territories cost-share these projects on a 50-50 basis. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of British Columbia is $61.2 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1993, Transport Canada has contributed $48 million to British Columbia. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada over the past 12 years to $109.2 million.

Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act are undertaken before projects begin. Funding for projects is conditional on the results of these assessments and receipt of environmental approvals.

Under the second component of SHIP, the federal government provides $100 million to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of intelligent transportation systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and improving transportation planning. Intelligent transportation systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

The program continues the Government of Canada’s long tradition of highway funding that started more than 80 years ago. In fact, Transport Canada has invested more than $1.8 billion between 1993 and 2004 to improve highways across Canada. The federal government also invests in transportation-related infrastructure through other programs such as the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund.

For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, please visit http://www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP/menu.htm.

November 2005