No. H 122/07
For release June 22, 2007

CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT AND THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT WIDEN THE QEW TO REDUCE CONGESTION

NIAGARA - The final phase of construction to widen the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) has begun, announced Rick Dykstra, MP (St. Catharines), on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, along with the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario Minister of Transportation, and St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley.

The QEW will be widened to six lanes from four along a 9.4-kilometre stretch, from Seventh Street Louth to the Garden City Skyway, through the City of St. Catharines. The first phase of this project, the widening of the Henley Bridges in St. Catharines, is underway and is scheduled to be complete by fall 2007. Once complete, the entire QEW corridor, from Toronto to Niagara Falls, will have six lanes.

"The widening of this vital trade and travel corridor will help keep goods and people moving through Southern Ontario while reducing congestion and contributing to better air quality," said Mr. Dykstra. "The widening of the QEW demonstrates the commitment by Canada's New Government to working with provincial partners to improve the quality of life for Canadians living along this important corridor."

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation awarded its largest single highway contract ever, with a total value of $167 million, for the second phase of QEW construction. The successful contractor is Dufferin Construction Company of Oakville. The second phase of the project is scheduled to be complete in 2011.

"The QEW is vital to economic growth, trade and tourism in Niagara and in Ontario, carrying approximately $60 billion in goods each year," said Minister Cansfield. "The McGuinty government’s investment to widen the QEW to six lanes will ease traffic congestion, enhance safety and keep our economy moving."

"Projects such as these demonstrate that Canada's New Government is committed to expanding existing infrastructure capacity, enhancing the security of our border crossings and the safety of Canada's National Highway System, as well as supporting the Canada-U.S. Smart Border Action Plan," said Minister Cannon.

"Widening of the QEW through our city will help to strengthen Niagara's economy by facilitating the movement of traffic and will improve safety for local drivers and visitors to our part of the province," said St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation awarded its largest single highway contract ever, with a total value of $167 million, for the second phase of QEW construction. The successful contractor is Dufferin Construction Company of Oakville. The second phase of the project is scheduled to be complete in 2011.

The total cost for phase 1 and 2 is approximately $183 million, with the Government of Canada providing up to $41 million and the Province of Ontario providing up to $142 million.

During construction, various measures will be used to minimize the impact on traffic for residents and drivers, including enhanced signage to inform motorists of alternate routes, and maintaining the existing number of lanes along the QEW whenever possible.

The Government of Canada's funding for this project comes from the $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund. The fund provides financial assistance for infrastructure projects that reduce border congestion, improve the flow of goods and services and expand existing infrastructure.

This year, the Government of Ontario is investing over $1.7 billion in highway improvements through its five-year ReNew Ontario infrastructure investment plan. This investment will strengthen Ontario's economic advantage and create opportunities for the Province's residents and businesses.

A backgrounder with more information on the QEW border infrastructure project is attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

QUEEN ELIZABETH WAY
BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) - the major trade corridor linking the Greater Toronto Area to the Niagara region and the United States - is the principal transportation link to four international crossings — the Queenston-Lewiston, Rainbow, Whirlpool and Peace Bridges — over the Niagara River to New York State.

Traffic flow is frequently congested during peak periods. The QEW carries an average of 73,000 vehicles per day from Highway 406 to the Garden City Skyway, of which approximately 16 per cent are commercial vehicles. Summer traffic is significantly higher, with about 100,000 vehicles per day travelling through St. Catharines.

Traffic volumes are expected to increase a further 30 per cent over the next ten years. Once this project is complete, the QEW will have six lanes from Toronto to Niagara Falls to accommodate this growth.

The final phase of construction through St. Catharines is now underway and will include widening the QEW from two lanes to three lanes in each direction, and:

• the construction of a concrete median barrier;
• the installation of a new storm drainage system;
• the reconstruction and reconfiguration of interchange ramps;
• the replacement of two underpass structures and two overpass structures;
• the rehabilitation and widening of an overpass structure and two underpass structures;
• the installation of noise walls in residential areas;
• the paving of highway shoulders; and
• improvements to lighting.

The first phase of construction through St. Catharines involves the widening of the Henley Bridges across Twelve Mile Creek. Construction is scheduled for completion by Fall 2007.

This project will reduce congestion and improve safety on the QEW, as well as improve the flow of commercial vehicles to and from the border.

The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario are also cost-sharing the $33.8-million investment through the Border Infrastructure Fund, to widen the QEW between Mountain Road and Glendale Avenue in the Niagara Region, with the federal government contributing $16 million. This project is scheduled for completion in summer 2008.

More information on the status of the construction can be found at www.mto.gov.on.ca.

June 2007