Local Street Upgrades across Fort Saskatchewan Complete
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, January 21, 2013 – Residents of Fort Saskatchewan are enjoying safer and improved streets, thanks to funding from the federal and provincial governments.
"These investments have made everyday travel safer and more convenient for local residents, businesses and visitors to Fort Saskatchewan,"
said the Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform) and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Sherwood Park. "Our Government will continue to deliver long-term funding for local infrastructure upgrades that create jobs and help Alberta communities continue to grow and prosper."
"The Alberta Government is always pleased to support our municipal partners in important local infrastructure projects,"
said Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver. "This funding helped rehabilitate several key routes in Fort Saskatchewan, providing residents with quicker, smoother travel throughout the city."
"The City is committed to the renewal of our critical infrastructure,"
commented Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur. "Without the support of grant funding from the federal and provincial governments, we would be falling behind and residents would have to wait much longer for their roads to be upgraded."
Approximately 55,000 square metres of new asphalt have been laid at eight different sites across the city. As well, concrete curbs and gutters were repaired that will help avoid potential flooding and ensure proper storm water drainage.
The City of Fort Saskatchewan received a total of $1,848,386 for its Local Road Rehabilitation Program; $1,165,836 from the federal Gas Tax Fund and $682,550 from a provincial Basic Municipal Transportation Grant.
The Basic Municipal Transportation Grant is a provincial funding program through Alberta Transportation which provides annual allocation based financial assistance to municipalities for the development and implementation of a safe, effective and integrated roadway network within their jurisdiction. Eligible transportation projects include design and engineering services, construction and rehabilitation of roads, streets and highways, grade separations, capital transit projects, bus and light rail transit (LRT) vehicle purchase and transportation system management projects.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in public infrastructure. Through the Gas Tax Fund alone, municipalities across the country have received over $10 billion in transfers for local priorities. Making this fund permanent at $2 billion annually is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan – a plan to help create good jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Between 2007 and 2014, Alberta municipalities will receive more than $1.16 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure.
For additional information about Canada's investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada's website.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Alberta, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan web site.
For further information contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeanna Friedley
Communications Branch
Alberta Transportation
780-422-7070
Wendy Kinsella
Director, Communications and Marketing
City of Fort Saskatchewan
780-992-6155
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154