October 2, 2009
Governments Fund Local Infrastructure in the Tri-Cities

PORT COQUITLAM – Today, Canada, B.C. and local municipalities announced a joint investment of nearly $26 million through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground on four local projects.  These projects will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local the economy, and build longer-lasting local infrastructure.

“Our Conservative Government was elected to deal with the economy, and we are delivering on our commitment,” says the Hon. James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Port Moody – Westwood – Port Coquitlam. “Today’s announcements demonstrate how the federal government is helping to strengthen B.C.’s economy, improve local infrastructure, and create jobs.”

“Building up our infrastructure will give a strong boost to the local economy,” says Coquitlam – Burke Mountain MLA Doug Horne. “It’s going to create jobs and help us get through this recession stronger than before. That’s what we were elected to do and that’s what we’re delivering.”

“We’re going to see the benefits of these projects for years to come,” says Port Moody – Coquitlam MLA Iain Black. “It’s a win in the short term and a win in the long term as well. I’m very proud to see these projects going forward.”

"Our citizens continue to identify transportation as a top priority in our community," says Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore. "This partnership with the federal and provincial governments is very important to Port Coquitlam as it acknowledges citizen demand for improved transportation networks and allows the City to complete this much needed infrastructure asset."

"We are pleased to work with all levels of government to meet the increased transportation needs of our citizens," says Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart.  "I thank both the federal and provincial governments for their contributions of $4.8 million each towards two important Coquitlam transportation projects - King Edward Avenue and Schoolhouse Street road improvements."

"The Village of Anmore acknowledges and thanks the federal and provincial governments for their contributions for improvement of water quality and twinning of the existing main,"  says Anmore Mayor Hal Weinberg.  "This infrastructure upgrade will enhance fire flow service to homes and the school, and the installation of radio-head metres will improve metre readings and invoice efficiency."

The combined Federal, Provincial and Municipal funds for infrastructure projects are as follows:

• $11,368,948 in Port Coquitlam to widen Broadway Street to five lanes between Kingsway and the Mary Hill Bypass, linking with the Coast Meridian Overpass. The reconfigured street will have two northbound and two southbound lanes with a two-way left turn centre lane. Both sides of the street will have sidewalks and dedicated cycling lanes. LED streetlights will be added, along with new traffic signals and bus stop bays.
• $7,400,000 in Coquitlam for the widening of King Edward Street to accommodate commuter cyclists in the curb lane. Sidewalks will be enhanced and underground utilities relocated to accommodate the widening. A portion of King Edward will also be raised to mitigate flooding problems.
• $7,200,000 in Coquitlam for reconstruction of Schoolhouse Street from Lucille Star Drive to Lougheed Highway, utilizing light-weight fills to prevent future road settlement and associated drainage problems. As part of the road works, the existing underground utilities and street infrastructure will be replaced and driveways will be regraded.
• $535,286 in Anmore to improve water quality for their 1,900 residents. Twinning the existing main will upgrade capacity and fire flow service to homes and the school. The installation of radio-read metres will improve metre readings and invoice efficiency.

Minister Moore also took the opportunity to announce that the federal government is investing $889,911 in upgrades and repairs to the Hyde Creek Recreational Centre under the federal government’s RInC program. This project will ensure the Recreational Centre is not only safe and healthy for all who use it, but that the infrastructure will support numerous activities for years to come.

The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan includes a vast array of initiatives to help to stimulate the economy, create jobs, build consumer confidence, and assist Canadians when they need it most during this global economic recession.  New large-scale infrastructure programs are one important element of this plan.

The project is funded under the Province's three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Since February about 480 projects worth $3.4 billion have been announced. These will create an estimated 21,600 jobs in communities across British Columbia.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca. Information on the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is available at www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC) is part of the Conservative Government’s  Economic Action Plan. Under RInC, the Conservative Government will provide up to one-third of total eligible costs, with a maximum project contribution of $1 million toward projects that will be completed by March 31, 2011.

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