City of Pickering to Improve Local Bridge

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

PICKERING — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Pickering today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to reconstruct Sandy Beach Road Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $333,333 in the project. The City of Pickering will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,000,000. 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 City of Pickering will remove and replace the existing bridge on Sandy Beach Road south of Parkham Crescent. The new structure will meet current design standards, and work will include improvements to the local site and guiderails as well as environmental enhancements.

"Canada's new government is proud to be working with the City of Pickering and the province of Ontario to follow through on this project," said John Baird, President of the Treasury Board. "When we invest in renewal projects such as these, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Today's announcement for the City of Pickering is part of the McGuinty government's commitment to invest in essential infrastructure projects across Ontario," said Wayne Arthurs, MPP for Pickering–Ajax–Uxbridge. "We are strengthening our communities by making sure our bridges, such as the Sandy Beach Road Bridge, are safe and dependable."

"The new bridge will allow for a wider bridge deck and better accommodation of transit vehicles, which supports our city's transportation plans," said David Ryan, Mayor of the City of Pickering.

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:

David Ryan
Mayor of the City of Pickering
905-420-2222

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: 13950