Work Begins on Highway Improvements to Strengthen Northern Ontario's Economy

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our government is taking immediate action to build infrastructure, create jobs and boost our economy," said Baird. "Highway 69 is an important trade link in Northern Ontario, and improvements to this stretch of road will increase safety for local commuters, as well as keep goods flowing for businesses during the economic slowdown."

"The McGuinty government continues investing in infrastructure and opportunity for the people of Sudbury," said Minister Bartolucci. "I am very pleased that today we are officially launching construction of a project that will create jobs and opportunities for our community, and ensure that Ontarians have a safe and modern highway to travel on in the future."

The Government of Canada is providing up to $35.8 million towards this $76.9-million project through the Building Canada Fund. The Province of Ontario will provide the remainder of the project funding, approximately $41.1 million, through the Northern Highways Program.

"We are pleased by the federal government's participation in this project on this stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway," said the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario's Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. "We are looking forward to continuing a partnership that is promoting job creation and economic development, as well as creating new, modern infrastructure for Canada's national highway system through Ontario."

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing about $11 billion in joint funding for more than 2,600 projects through such programs as the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, Building Canada Fund - Communities component and Major Infrastructure component - Knowledge and Infrastructure Program and RINC/Ontario REC. These investments will help support job creation and strengthen Ontario's economy.

The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. These investments will help Canada emerge from this economic downturn with a more modern, safer and greener infrastructure that will be the foundation of sustainable long-term economic growth.

Through the 2009 Ontario budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future - the province is investing $32.5 billion in infrastructure for the Province of Ontario over the next two years.

For more information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Learn how the Government of Ontario is helping build and revitalize infrastructure across the province at www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure/.

BACKGROUNDER

HIGHWAY 69 IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

The project involves construction of nine kilometres of four-lane highway (six kilometres of new alignment and three kilometres of twinning existing two-lane highway) from Highway 637 north to Estaire. Work on this project includes construction of an interchange at Highway 637, an overhead wildlife crossing structure, two joint-use culverts (for wildlife and forest management) and a structural culvert. The project's total estimated cost is $128 million. It will create or sustain up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The governments of Canada and Ontario have each set aside up to 50 per cent of total eligible costs, to a maximum contribution of $64 million. The federal contribution will be funded under the Building Canada Fund Major Infrastructure Component.

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