Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley to Improve Local Bridge

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

ADDISON — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace Kinch Street Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $239,876 in the project. The Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $719,627. 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 project will involve removing the existing bridge and replacing it with a new structure capable of handling two-way traffic.

"This COMRIF investment will improve the safety and efficiency of the roadway for residents, tourists and businesses in the area," said Gord Brown, MP for Leeds–Grenville. "Canada's new government supports working with the other levels of government to get things done. There is a need for the project, are we are proud to step up and help."

"Through COMRIF, we are giving rural municipalities the tools they need to ensure their bridges are safe and dependable," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Our greatest asset is our people, and we will continue to provide every opportunity for a higher quality of life for residents in the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley."

"Replacing Kinch Street Bridge will make this route safer for residential and emergency vehicles, and we are happy to partner with the federal and provincial governments to see this project move forward," said Jim Pickard, Mayor of the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley.

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:

Jim Pickard
Mayor of the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley
613-345-7480

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:  13865