Improving Canada's Highways Together
 SHIP
- STRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
Investing in Canada’s Major Highways
 The
Government of Canada is working with its provincial and territorial counterparts
as well as other transportation stakeholders to improve the country’s
national highway network through a $600 million fund called the Strategic
Highway Infrastructure Program, or SHIP. Under the program, the Government
of Canada and its partners provide matching funds for transportation-related
projects across the country. This program continues the government’s
long tradition of highway funding that started more than 80 years ago.
In fact, Transport Canada will have spent more than $1.7 billion between
1993 and 2003 to improve highways across Canada.
Improving Our Transportation System
“Clearly, we are committed to improving Canada’s transportation
infrastructure for the 21st century.”
Hon. David Collenette, Minister of Transport
HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION
The National Highway System is the heart of our highway and roadway network,
connecting Canadian commerce and communities. It includes 24,400 kilometers
of major roads in every province and territory, more than 3,500 bridges,
and the Trans-Canada Highway -the world’s longest national highway.
Of the $600 million SHIP fund, $500 million is committed to maintaining
and upgrading this world-class system.
Smart Transport, Safe Travel -
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS)
 ITS
can help make Canada’s transportation system safer, more secure,
efficient, productive, and environmentally friendly. ITS projects will
receive approximately $30 million in funding under SHIP. These projects
include the application of advanced systems and technologies for public
transit, traffic management, traveller information, cargo location and
control, and commercial vehicle and fleet management. For example, a pilot
project will test a sophisticated electronic system to help school bus
drivers detect children near their vehicles.
BORDER CROSSINGS
 Linking
Canadians to our most important trading partner -the United States-is
another
key element of SHIP. Approximately $65million from the program will be
used for improvements at and near land border crossings. This means improved,
more secure traffic flows and new technologies at key border locations
that will contribute to Canada’s economic prosperity. Keeping the
flow of people and goods moving across our borders is vital to our economy.
Over $1 billion of trade crosses the Canada/U.S. border every day by truck.
Canadian Transportation Facts
- 1902 -2,131 vehicles registered
- 2002 -23 million vehicles registered
- 1.4 million kilometers of roads
- Among the safest roads in the world
- Nearly 70 per cent of Canada/U.S. trade moved by trucks
Planning Ahead -
TRANSPORTATION STUDIES
In order to encourage transportation planning, $5 million has been dedicated
for initiatives such as feasibility studies, the development and dissemination
of information management tools, and ways to improve connections between
 modes
of transportation.
More Information
For more information on SHIP and the projects funded under this program,
visit our website at: www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP.
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