Town of Milton to Improve Local Bridge

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

MILTON — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Town of Milton today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace Barnstable Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $726,400 in the project. The Town of Milton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $2,179,200. 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 town will replace Barnstable Bridge on Lower Base Line and carry out necessary widening and approach work.

"Replacing Barnstable Bridge will improve the quality of life for residents in Milton and encourage the economic development of the community and surrounding areas," said Garth Turner, MP for Halton. "The Government of Canada is pleased to work with our provincial and municipal counterparts on this important project."

"Through COMRIF, the McGuinty government is helping rural communities plan, manage and invest in their future," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Today's announcement for the Town of Milton will provide this community with safer and more dependable bridge infrastructure."

"COMRIF funding for this project is great news for our town as it will allow us to improve road safety for the travelling public, school buses and emergency vehicles that rely on this bridge," said Gordon Krantz, Mayor of the Town of Milton.

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:

Gordon Krantz
Mayor of the Town of Milton
905-878-7252

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

Garth Turner
MP for Halton
905-330-8581

Project Reference Number:  13806