Government of Canada and Province of B.C. Support Highway 16 CNR Mile 28 Grade Separation and Northwest Regional Airport Facility Expansion Projects

TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 27, 2015) - Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, was joined today by B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone to announce funding for Highway 16 improvements near Terrace, and for the expansion of the Northwest Regional Airport.

The federal government will provide $17.5 million for the approximately $37-million Highway 16 project and B.C. will provide $19.5 million. The federal government will provide $4.4 million toward the $16.4 million airport expansion project and B.C. will provide $4.4 million. The Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society will contribute the remainder of the funding.

Highway 16 and the CN rail line are both critical transportation infrastructure for domestic and international trade in northwestern British Columbia. Realigning approximately two kilometres of the highway and building a grade separation on Highway 16 to carry traffic over the CN railway line, will improve safety and highway access to communities, as well as reduce delays and improve the flow of goods to and from the Port in Prince Rupert. This project will resolve the last remaining level rail and road crossing on Highway 16 in British Columbia.

The expansion of the Northwest Regional Airport includes: 1,573 square metres of new building to house check-in counters, baggage security system, baggage make-up area, airline offices, cargo facility and passenger security screening; renovation of 1,110 square metres of the existing building; joining the existing airline offices and counters and the existing security boarding area to create one larger security boarding area; and improved parking facilities. Collectively, these enhancements will help the Northwest Regional Airport to increase capacity and efficiency, by improving the flow of passengers and goods, which will encourage regional economic growth.

The New Building Canada Plan is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada's history. This unprecedented commitment is providing $53 billion to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure between 2014 and 2024.

Over this ten-year period, British Columbia will benefit from approximately $3.9 billion in dedicated federal funding, including almost $1.1 billion under the New Building Canada Fund.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has selected the Highway 16 improvement project for funding consideration of up to 50 percent of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $17,525,000. The Government of British Columbia will be contributing the remaining $19,475,000 to the Highway 16 CNR Mile 28 Grade Separation project. The total estimated cost of the project is $37,000,000.
• The Government of Canada has also selected the expansion of the Northwest Regional Airport for funding consideration of up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $4,442,357. In addition, the Government of British Columbia will be contributing $4,423,580 and the Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society will contribute the remainder to the Northwest Regional Airport Facility Expansion project. The total estimated cost of the project is $16,409,000.
• Federal funding for both projects will be under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects. This funding is conditional on the projects meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund and on the signing of contribution agreements.
• These improvements are part of the province's B.C. on the Move initiative, a new 10-year plan for the improvement of the province's transportation network providing a comprehensive road map for transportation investments and strategic policy actions over the next decade. Provincial funding for the Northwest Regional Airport expansion is through the B.C. Air Access Program.
• The $53 billion New Building Canada Plan provides stable funding for a 10-year period, and includes:
  • The Community Improvement Fund, consisting of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, which will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit and recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.
  • The $14-billion New Building Canada Fund, which consists of:
    • The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component that will support projects of national significance; and
    • The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component for projects of national, regional and local significance. Of this amount, $1 billion for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents through the Small Communities Fund.
  • An additional $1.25 billion in funding for the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada.

Quotes

"Our Government's support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. We are pleased to work with the Province of British Columbia to approve projects under the New Building Canada Fund, to ensure that infrastructure funding continues to flow in British Columbia as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada. We are proud to invest in the grade separation project on Highway 16, which will increase safety in the area by separating highway traffic from the CN railway line. In addition, expanding the Northwest Regional Airport will increase the Airport's capacity and efficiency and have a lasting effect on the region's economic growth and development."

Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River

"Both of these improvement projects support key elements of our B.C. on the Move 10-year transportation plan to improve highway capacity and reliability and invest in our airports. Growing industrial development activity in the northwest has led to increased traffic on our roads and through our airports. Thanks to the significant funding support through the New Building Canada Fund, we're now able to move forward with these important projects."

Todd Stone, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

"The Northwest Regional Airport is excited to progress with this important expansion project, in partnership with the federal government and the B.C. government. This is an important milestone in our continuous efforts to improve safety, security, capacity, and efficiency of travel for all of our customers. These enhancements will help improve the flow of passengers and goods, which will encourage more regional economic growth."

Ron Burnett, President Airport Society

Associated Links

To learn more about the New Building Canada Fund - Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan.

Learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Learn more about B.C. on the Move

Follow the work of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

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