Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury to Improve Local Bridges

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

BRADFORD — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace the Kingsley and 12th Line bridges.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $327,667 in the project. The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $983,000. The Government of Canada's contribution is contingent on the successful completion of an environmental assessment of the proposed project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The existing bridges will be replaced with new two-lane structures with code-conforming barrier systems and approach guiderails.

"I am pleased to announce that Canada's new government is investing in the replacement of these bridges," said Peter Van Loan, MP for York–Simcoe. "We support working with the other levels of government to ensure these projects get done, and benefit the families and individuals who live here."

"The McGuinty government is committed to strengthening rural Ontario," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Today's announcement in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is part of our ReNew Ontario plan to invest in essential infrastructure — and we are seeing results."

"The new bridges will improve traffic flow in the rural part of our town and provide a safer crossing for agricultural and commercial vehicles, allowing more opportunities for economic development in our community," said Frank Jonkman, Mayor of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Under COMRIF, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to improve public infrastructure and quality of life for local residents in small urban and rural communities.

Intake Two builds on the successful first intake of the COMRIF initiative. As a result of funding provided by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the first and second intakes, infrastructure improvements are being made through 208 projects to make Ontario's communities stronger, healthier and safer.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million initiative that responds to local needs through infrastructure upgrades to provide clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, safer local roads and bridges, as well as other health and safety priorities. Green infrastructure is COMRIF's top priority, with 55 per cent of funding for projects involving water quality, sustainable communities, climate change and innovation.

COMRIF Intake Three will be launched in spring 2006 through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities. All Ontario municipalities of fewer than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

For more information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.

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Contacts:

Frank Jonkman
Mayor of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
905-775-5366

Dave McLeod
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
519-826-3198

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Chris Flavelle
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky
416-326-3072

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Project Reference Number:  13843