No. H149/06
For release November 15, 2006

EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY 5 IN THE OUTAOUAIS REGION

LA PÊCHE, Quebec − The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon; the Quebec Transport Minister, Mr. Michel Després; the Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and MP for Chapleau, Mr. Benoît Pelletier; and the MP for Gatineau, Mr. Réjean Lafrenière, today announced the extension of Highway 5 in the Outaouais region.

"The Highway 5 project in the Outaouais region is a priority for Canada’s New Government and for Outaouais residents. Our government is determined to produce concrete results in the transportation sector for the benefit of Canadians," said Minister Cannon. "This new section of Highway 5 will contribute to the economic growth of the Outaouais region and foster the development of tourism."

"Extending Highway 5 will help improve the flow of traffic on Highway 105 and should have a positive effect on road safety in this area," said Minister Després. "Today’s announcement represents our commitment to develop Quebec regions to their full potential."

"The extension of Highway 5 announced today confirms the importance of such a highway segment for the development of our region," said Minister Pelletier. "This project will help to reinforce social and economic ties between rural and urban communities, which are essential to the Outaouais region’s expansion."

"The realisation of this project represents the end of a file that has been a constant priority throughout my entire career as MP for Gatineau," said MP Lafrenière. "This is the most positive legacy I wish to leave for the persons I represent."

Today’s announcement covers funding for the construction of a 2.5-kilometre highway segment in the municipality of Chelsea from Tulip Valley extending northwards. The funding will also be used to prepare preliminary studies on a second 6.5-kilometre segment that ends at the completed section of Highway 5 in Wakefield.

The cost of this highway project has been estimated at approximately $32 million. The total cost of the work to build the 2.5-kilometre segment has been estimated at $27 million by Transport Quebec, while the cost of studies on the 6.5-kilometre segment has been estimated at $5 million. The eligible costs of the project will be shared by both levels of government under the Agreement Regarding the Improvement of the Quebec Portion of the National Capital Region.

The construction work on the 2.5-kilometre section in the municipality of Chelsea involves building an interchange, including two overpasses at the end of Highway 5 in Tulip Valley and a four-lane divided extension of Highway 5 in a rural area. This work will have no impact on the Gatineau Park area.

Funding for the 2.5-kilometre segment will help complete all the necessary work to build this new section. Transport Quebec has already acquired the grassy right-of-way to extend Highway 5. Work is scheduled to begin in 2007 for completion in the fall of 2009.

On November 14, 2006, the Government of Canada completed an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act for the 2.5-kilometre segment. The work will begin after the call for tenders process, for which the Government of Quebec is the main contractor.

Until 2008-2009, the funding will be used to complete assessment studies, physical samples, plans and specifications and the estimates required before construction can begin to build the second 6.5-kilometre segment, which is made up of four lanes of divided highway.
 

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