Township of Centre Wellington to Improve Local Bridges

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

ELORA — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of Centre Wellington today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace bridge structures No. 19-P and No. 25-WG. 

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $666,667 in the project. The Township of Centre Wellington will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $2,000,000. 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 Township of Centre Wellington will replace Bridge No. 19-P on Middlebrook Road, and Bridge No. 25-WG on Jones Baseline, with new two-lane bridges. The approaches to the bridges will also be reconstructed.

"Canada's new government supports working with the other levels of government to get things done. There is a need for these projects, and we are proud to step up to help," said Michael Chong, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister for Sport and MP for Wellington–Halton Hills. "Replacing these two bridges with more secure, traffic-friendly structures meets this commitment and opens new opportunities for our community."

"The McGuinty government is improving essential infrastructure in our small urban and rural communities," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "We know that Ontario's success depends on strengthening communities, improving our prosperity and providing a high quality of life for rural residents."

"These new bridge structures will eliminate detours and allow for increased traffic volume — important steps that will not only improve public safety, but will also allow for continued economic opportunities and tourism," said Russ Spicer, Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington.

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:

Russ Spicer
Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington
519-846-9691

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:  13893