No. H017/02
For release March 5, 2002 

$122.4 MILLION IN HIGHWAY
IMPROVEMENT FUNDING FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA 

VICTORIA — Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Natural Resources Minister and MP (Vancouver South – Burnaby) Herb Dhaliwal, and British Columbia Transportation Minister Judith Reid, today signed an agreement to provide joint funding of $122.4 million over the next five years for highway improvement projects in British Columbia.  

This agreement is part of the $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) announced by Mr. Collenette in April 2001. 

"I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is providing $61.2 million in funding for British Columbia highways through SHIP," said Mr. Collenette. "Continuing the partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia is a very important element in making real improvements to our highway infrastructure." 

In addition to the agreement, two construction projects for B.C. highways were announced. 

Part of the $61.2 million in federal funds provided under SHIP will be used for construction of the Yoho Bridge, located on the Trans-Canada Highway over the Kicking Horse Canyon. Another portion of the funds will be used for improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway in the community of Revelstoke.  

"Federal and provincial investment in B.C.’s highways will make our roads safer and stimulate the economy," said Mr. Dhaliwal. "The people of British Columbia, as well as local businesses and visitors, will benefit from these highway improvements." 

"This funding will help support much-needed projects on the Trans-Canada Highway, which is a critical national economic trade route," said Ms Reid. "It is a good beginning. I look forward to working with the federal government to find funds for other projects so that goods and people continue flowing efficiently along Canada's national highways, allowing us to remain competitive with other nations." 

Transport Canada and the Province of British Columbia are reviewing a list of other proposed projects for funding under SHIP. The department will examine the benefits of these projects and how they support the program objectives and, in partnership with the province, determine which projects best meet these objectives. Funding for SHIP projects is conditional on the results of required environmental assessments. 

Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework. 

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Contacts:

Anthony Polci                                         
Director of Communications                     
Office of the Minister of Transport              
Ottawa, Ontario                                      
(613) 991-0700

Garth Coward

Director of Communications

British Columbia Transportation                             
Victoria, B.C.

(250) 387-7787

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and speeches at  apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

Under the program, $500 million, including $15 million for administration costs, will be available to address the needs of Canada's highways over the next five years. The program formally begins in fiscal year 2002-2003. The Government of Canada is working 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 has been developed to distribute the $485 million available to the provinces and territories under SHIP. The formula consists of a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population and a 50-50 cost-sharing ratio. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of British Columbia is $61.2 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1987, Transport Canada contributed $48 million to British Columbia. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada to $109.2 million.

Part of the $61.2 million in federal funds provided under SHIP will be used for construction of the Yoho Bridge, located on the Trans-Canada Highway over the Kicking Horse Canyon. Another portion of the funds will be used for improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway in the community of Revelstoke.

Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken before the projects begin. The funding for the projects is conditional on the results of these environmental assessments. Transport Canada will not fund the projects if it is determined that they could have any significant adverse environmental impacts.

SHIP will also provide $100 million nationally to fund initiatives which better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and better 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.

March 2002