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$30.3 Million Transportation Infrastructure Dollars Ready To Roll
Another $30.3 million will be directed towards 11 new infrastructure projects announced today through the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP).
The newly approved projects will improve or enhance transportation infrastructure in 11 communities across Alberta. Constructing or rehabilitating traditional transportation infrastructure and increasing community safety is a priority of ICAP. Featured in today's announcement is the $26.7 million Phase 1 extension of Edmonton's Light Rail Transit (LRT). The federal and provincial contribution to this project is $17.3 million.
The announcement was made by Senator Tommy Banks on behalf of Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development); Tony Vandermeer, MLA for Edmonton Manning on behalf of the Hon. Ed Stelmach, Alberta Transportation Minister; and Mayor Bill Smith of Edmonton.
"The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP) is an important part of the Government of Canada's commitment to improving the quality of life for all Canadians," said Senator Banks. "As partners, we ensure priorities identified by municipalities, such as an efficient transportation system, are addressed."
"Today's announcement is an important step in strengthening the infrastructure of Alberta communities," said Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure. "Expanding Edmonton's light rail service will improve accessibility to important community health services, and infrastructure improvements in rural communities will enrich the quality of life of residents."
"The Government of Alberta is committed to providing quality infrastructure in our communities," said Vandermeer. "ICAP is grassroots-driven and responds to the infrastructure priorities identified by each community. Municipalities are also represented as full and equal partners on the program's management committee."
Alberta is experiencing one of its fastest growth periods in recent times and the projects approved today will help maintain the quality of life for its residents. The City of Edmonton, in addressing the demands of such growth, is laying the foundation for the future.
"LRT has been an important component of Edmonton's public transit system for the past 25 years," said Edmonton Mayor Smith. "The ICAP funding assigned to the South LRT Extension Project this year provides us with the opportunity to realize our vision of a high speed transit link between south Edmonton and our city centre."
The federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible costs under ICAP, to the maximum of a community's entitlement. Partnering municipalities or organizations provide the remaining funding. The federal and provincial governments provided $19 million of the $30.3 million projects announced today.
To date, 321 projects worth $215.4 million have been approved for Alberta communities under the program. Over the life of the program, ICAP will help direct $508 million in federal, provincial and municipal funding towards: municipal water and wastewater systems; municipal roads, bridges and transit; affordable housing; solid waste disposal and recycling; tourism, cultural or recreation facilities; or projects to improve energy efficiencies of municipal buildings. ICAP is a partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments and in some cases, private sector organizations.
The ICAP Management Committee approves the projects and is composed of representatives from the governments of Canada and Alberta, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMD&C).
"Infrastructure needs are always great in our member municipalities," said John Trefanenko on behalf of the AUMA. "The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program provides a welcome funding boost to support important infrastructure-related projects."
"The funding support offered by ICAP allows our member municipalities to take on needed infrastructure improvements," said Eugene Wauters on behalf of the AAMD&C. "Infrastructure is a high priority for municipal districts and counties."
The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement was signed October 10, 2000. Funding for ICAP was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
For additional information, contact:
Gordon Eckert
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-3370
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Trent Bancarz
Communications
Alberta Transportation
Edmonton, Alberta
(780) 427-0623
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Partnership Program
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The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP) is a partnership involving federal, provincial and municipal governments that also allows for private-sector participation. All three levels of government played an important part in the design of this six-year program that was announced in October 2000.
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In general, each level of government (federal, provincial and municipal) contributes a third of the total eligible costs of any given project. In today's $30.3 million announcement, federal and provincial contributions total $18,968,114. For the 321 projects and $215.4 million announced since June 8, 2001, federal and provincial contributions total approximately $123.8 million.
- In Alberta, the program is being implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Transportation and is administered by a joint secretariat.
Grassroots Driven
- ICAP is designed with a bottom-up approach. Accordingly, municipalities play an important role in the program. The majority of projects will address local infrastructure needs identified by the municipality.
- The federal and provincial governments may also propose projects, of approximately $63.9 million, to ensure that regional projects involving more than one municipality are not overlooked.
Program Priorities
- ICAP's first priority is "green" municipal infrastructure. Green infrastructure includes projects related to water and wastewater systems, water management, solid waste management and recycling, and capital expenditures to retrofit or improve the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities owned by local municipalities.
The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement specifies that a minimum 40 per cent of the total value of all approved projects must be invested in green municipal infrastructure.
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Secondary priorities of the program include local transportation, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access for local public institutions and affordable housing. ICAP is an important part of federal and provincial efforts to improve the quality of life for all Canadians and help lay the foundation for long-term economic growth.
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To ensure the infrastructure needs of rural communities are considered, a minimum 26 per cent of total approved costs for all projects in Alberta must be invested in projects proposed by rural municipalities.
INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA-ALBERTA PROGRAM
PROJECT LIST SUMMARY
|
Number of Projects |
Total Project Dollars |
|
|
1. Summer Village of Alberta Beach |
1 Project |
$64,200 |
|
2. Beaver County |
1 Project |
$1,037,151 |
|
3. Town of Bruderheim |
1 Project |
$126,406 |
|
4. Clearwater County |
1 Project |
$869,910 |
|
5. Village of Cowley |
1 Project |
$37,718 |
|
6. City of Edmonton |
1 Project |
$26,684,210 |
|
7. Town of Falher |
1 Project |
$163,710 |
|
8. Village of Nampa |
1 Project |
$92,555 |
|
9. County of Newell No.4 |
1 Project |
$348,775 |
|
10. Town of Smoky Lake |
1 Project |
$237,091 |
|
11. Westlock County |
1 Project |
$642,000 |
|
Grand total |
11 Projects |
$30,303,726 |
INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA-ALBERTA PROGRAM
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
SV Alberta Beach
Road & Sidewalk Pavement Upgrade ----- $64,200
This project will involve resurfacing and repaving the main road through Alberta Beach, as well as the walking path to the school. The changes will provide motorists and pedestrians alike with a safer and more enjoyable commute.
Contact Person: Lori Donner, Chief Administrative Officer, Tel. (780) 924-3181
Beaver County
Spillstead Road Paving ----- $1,037,151
This project will see Spillstead Road paved, providing area motorists with a safer, more enjoyable driving experience.
Contact Person: Ron Pepper, Tel. (780) 663-3730
Town of Bruderheim
Road Works Upgrades ----- $126,406
This project consists of the rehabilitation and resurfacing 52 Avenue from 51 to 54 Street and 46A Street and 54 Avenue. The improvements to the road surface will provide area motorists with a safer, more enjoyable motoring experience.
Contact Person: Kevin Glebe, Tel. (780) 417-7130
Clearwater County
Arbutus Road Upgrade ----- $869,910
This project will see the resurfacing of Arbutus Road from Highway 11 for 15 kilometres south, providing area motorists with a safer and more enjoyable driving experience, as well as increasing seasonal road usage.
Contact Person: Darrell Constantinoff, Tel. (403) 845-4444
Village of Cowley
Burmis Avenue Upgrade ----- $37,718
This project will see the installation of a new sewer manhole in an existing line to enable clean-out and improved service to residents. The project will also see the installation of two new storm sewers to improve drainage of surface water and allow for the excavation of Burmis Avenue for resurfacing. These upgrades will improve sewage services and the road surface quality and safety of Burmis Avenue for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Contact Person: Wilma Wilgosh, Tel. (403) 628-3808
City of Edmonton
South Light Rail Transit (LRT) Extension ----- $26,684,210
This project entails the first phase of the City's planned LRT extension from the existing underground University Station to a new, at grade Health Sciences Station. Construction will consist of two six-metre diameter tunnels, a cut and cover portal structure and 650 metres of LRT double track. On the surface, the at-grade Health Sciences Station which will include three passenger shelters on a concrete platform. The extension to the LRT will enable greater access to the university, downtown core and recreational facilities for Edmonton residents of all levels of mobility.
Contact Person: Konrad Siu, Tel. (780) 496-5579
Town of Falher
Commercial Road Development - 2002 ----- $163,710
This project involves construction of a 1st Street East to gravel standards, construction on 2nd Street East of curb end gutters to paved standards, and construction of 9th Avenue South to gravel standards. The new construction will allow further commercial development in the area, as well as providing safer road condition for senior citizens and area motorists.
Contact Person: Gerard A. Nicolet, Tel. (780) 837-2247
Village of Nampa
Sidewalk Improvements - 2002 ----- $92,555
This project includes replacing six blocks of aging residential and commercial concrete sidewalks with new concrete sections. Old sidewalk panels will be reused for erosion protection on the inside slopes of the sewage lagoon. The improvements to the sidewalk will ensure safe walking conditions for residents of Nampa.
Contact Person: Sharon Unrau, Tel. (780) 322-3852
County of Newell No. 4
One Tree Road Paving ----- $348,775
This project will consist of regrading and resurfacing Range Road 142 from Highway 1 to Secondary Highway 544, as well as making curb enhancements. The project will provide area and visiting motorists with a safer, more comfortable driving experience.
Contact Person: Earl Somerville, Tel. (403) 362-3266
Westlock County
Correction Line Road Upgrade - Vimy to East Boundary ----- $642,000
This project features improvements to the grade and traveling surface of Correction Line Road. As well, an application of an oil-based product will provide long term dust control for people living in the area. The upgrades will accommodate increased residential, agricultural and commercial traffic.
Contact person: Martin Kirschner, Public Works Superintendent, Tel. (780) 349-3242
Town of Smoky Lake
Street Improvement Overlay Project ----- $237,091
The installation of a hot mix overlay on four main roads in Smoky Lake will create safer driving conditions for residents and improve traffic flow. The upgrades to White Earth Street, Wheatland Avenue, 44 Avenue and 46 Street will also reduce operating costs.
Contact person: Joseph Trapani, Town Manager, Tel. (780) 656-3674
TOTAL PROJECTS ----- 11
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS ----- $30,303,726
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