City of Thunder Bay to Improve Local Road and Culvert Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

THUNDER BAY — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Thunder Bay today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to rehabilitate and reconstruct three arterial roads and rehabilitate one culvert.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $2,359,431 in the project. The City of Thunder Bay will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $7,078,291. 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 will rehabilitate John Street, widen Red River Road, realign Broadway Avenue, and rehabilitate the Oliver Road Culvert. Pavement rehabilitation will incorporate cost-effective technologies and use recycled asphalt products and computerized pavement management systems.

"Canada's new government supports working with the province and municipalities to get things done. There is a need for this road and culvert investment in the City of Thunder Bay, and we are proud to step up and help," said Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "By investing in these projects, we are investing in the individuals and families who live here."

"We recognize that improving the transportation network in this community is a priority for the people of Thunder Bay," said Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. "Through projects such as upgrading John Street, Red River Road, Broadway Avenue and the Oliver Road Culvert in Thunder Bay, the McGuinty government is strengthening rural Ontario."

"This one-time infusion of funding will assist the city in addressing some of its more significant and immediate transportation infrastructure improvement and maintenance needs," said Lynn Peterson, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay," said Lynn Peterson, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay.

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:

Lynn Peterson
Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay
807-625-2110

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: 13531