No. H135/06
For release November 3, 2006

CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT AND
THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW BRUNSWICK OPEN
29 KILOMETRES OF FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY

LONGS CREEK, New Brunswick — Canada’s New Government and the Government of New Brunswick have today officially opened 29 kilometres of the new four-lane Trans-Canada Highway between Pokiok and Longs Creek.

Representatives from the federal and provincial governments gathered at Longs Creek to officially mark the completion of the $125-million project. This joint investment is part of the $400-million agreement for the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick and was funded through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). In Budget 2006, Government of Canada has committed $2 billion over the next four years to renew this fund, which will bring the total to $6 billion once implemented. Funds were also provided through the Canada/New Brunswick Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP).

This project, in conjunction with other projects funded under the Canada/New Brunswick Agreement for the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway, will result in the completion of a four-lane access-controlled highway from Halifax to the Quebec border. This new section of highway is expected to significantly reduce the overall accident rate and the number of fatalities as well as improve highway efficiency by reducing traffic congestion.

“Canada’s New Government is proud to partner with the Province of New Brunswick to contribute to the improvement of New Brunswick’s transportation system. This is an excellent example of cooperation between the federal and provincial governments,” said Mike Allen, MP for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “These investments will help reduce accident rates, benefit trade and innovation and enhance the economy of the province.”

“New Brunswick is the gateway to the Maritimes,” said New Brunswick Transportation Minister Denis Landry. “A comprehensive highway system is essential for economic growth. By completing this section of the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway in our province, we are strengthening our connection to key markets and essential services.”

This project consisted of the construction of a new four-lane highway to bypass 33.4 kilometres of two-lane Trans-Canada Highway (Route 2) between Pokiok and Longs Creek. Interchanges were constructed at Pokiok and Route 635 at Prince William near Kings Landing. The Pokiok interchange includes a one-kilometre connector road to the existing Route 2 interchange, which will allow traffic to cross Hawkshaw Bridge over the St. John River and travel to Nackawic. Bridges were constructed to cross the Pokiok Stream and Jewetts Creek. The service roads at Kings Landing and the Pokiok connector road were realigned. The project also included several other smaller bridges and overpasses and 32 linear kilometres of wildlife fencing.

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