Public Works and Government Services Canada Invests $53 Million in the Alaska Highway

FORT NELSON, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 24, 2015) - Public Works and Government Services Canada

Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced contract awards and investments totalling $53 million for the Alaska Highway.

Under this Federal Infrastructure Investment, improvements will be made to this essential road, which will lead to job creation in British Columbia.

Five contracts have been awarded for a total of $53 million, with funding being allocated as follows:

• As part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment, a total of $31 million is being invested for highway improvements. For this investment:
  • A contract of $6 million has been awarded to P.S. Sidhu Trucking Ltd., of Whitehorse, Yukon, for the realignment of kilometres 736 to 742 of the highway. The project started in May 2015 and will be completed by October 2015.
  • A contract of $11 million has been awarded to Interoute Construction Ltd. dba DGS Astro Paving, of Fort St. John, British Columbia, for asphalt concrete paving of kilometres 458 to 485 of the highway. The project started in May 2015 and will be completed by October 2015.
  • A contract of $14 million has been awarded to Cobalt Construction Inc., of Whitehorse, Yukon, for the realignment of kilometres 743 to 750 of the highway. The project is expected to start in April 2016 and be completed by October 2016.
• A $19-million contract has been awarded to Emcon Services Inc., of Merritt, British Columbia, for work on kilometres 133 to 598 of the highway, such as spot patching, sweeping, mowing, snowplowing and sanding. This contract will be effective April 1, 2016, and cover a period of 26 months.
• A $3-million contract has been awarded to White Bear Industries Ltd., of Terrace, British Columbia, for the microsurfacing of 100 kilometres of the highway. This project started in April 2015 and is expected to be completed by October 2015.

Through these investments, the Government of Canada is ensuring the highest standards of safety for its public infrastructure and the people who depend on it.

Quick Facts

• On November 24, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a $5.8-billion federal investment to build and renew infrastructure across the country. This reflects the Government's commitment to economic development and reinforces its focus on job creation and the country's long-term prosperity. An investment of $31 million, which is part of the $5.8-billion envelope, will create jobs in British Columbia.
• Between 2009 and 2011, through the Economic Action Plan, Public Works and Government Services Canada invested over $400 million to deliver more than 2,300 infrastructure projects. These projects aimed to repair and renovate government facilities across the country while creating subcontracting opportunities for hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
• Since implementing the Economic Action Plan in 2009, Canada has achieved the best job creation record, the strongest income growth and one of the best economic performances in the G7. Thanks to this initiative, over $63 billion has been invested, contributing to Canada's economic wealth.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to maintaining the safety of its public infrastructure. These infrastructure investments are part of an ongoing program to ensure that the Alaska Highway is well maintained so that those who use the highway can make it home safely to their families."

Bob Zimmer

Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River

"Our Government is focused on what matters to Canadians-jobs and economic growth. Our investment in the Alaska Highway will not only generate long-term economic benefits for the entire region, but continue to provide safe access to the thousands of Canadians who rely on the Alaska Highway."

The Honourable Diane Finley

Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Associated Links

Prime Minister's announcement

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