Peterborough to Receive Funding for Sewer Upgrades

PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 24, 2015) - Residents of Peterborough will benefit from the Bethune Street Sanitary Sewer and Jackson Creek Diversion Project, thanks to joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Small Communities Fund.

This project will entail three components: the installation of a storm sewer to divert high flows in Jackson Creek to mitigate flood damage; the reconstruction of Bethune Street; and the increase of sanitary sewer capacity to support growth in the north end of Peterborough. These improvements will help reduce the social, physical and economic risks associated with flooding and will serve population growth in the area.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs. Canada and Ontario will each provide $272 million to support projects in communities across the province with fewer than 100,000 residents. This funding will help address local priorities, supporting job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across Ontario for years to come.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $7.97 million through the Small Communities Fund for these projects.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $7.97 million to this project.
• The City of Peterborough will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

Quotes

"We are pleased to invest in projects such as the Bethune Street Sanitary Sewer and Jackson Creek Diversion Project that will benefit our community by improving much needed local infrastructure.Our Government's commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan Small Communities Fund we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a strong impact on the quality of life of Ontario's residents while helping job creation and economic growth."

Mr. Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton - Kawartha Lakes - Brock, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"This important infrastructure investment will support growth in the City of Peterborough's north end and reduce the risk of flooding in the downtown core. It's part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history – more than $130 billion over 10 years – which is supported by a number of initiatives, including unlocking the value of public assets to help make investments in transit, transportation and other priority infrastructure projects. It demonstrates our government's commitment to keeping our communities strong, creating jobs and making sure that people get the basic services they pay for now and in the future."

The Honourable Jeff Leal, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough

"A large new sewer under Bethune St. will divert huge amounts of storm water around Peterborough's downtown, reducing the burden on the aging infrastructure under this historic district and protecting homes and businesses from the scale of flooding that they have experienced in the past. While this construction is happening, the city will take the opportunity to upgrade the streetscape on Bethune St. and expand the sanitary sewer capacity. It is a significant undertaking that is being greatly assisted by the funding from the federal and provincial governments."

Daryl Bennett, Mayor, City of Peterborough

Associated Links

To learn more about the Government of Canada's infrastructure programs, including the Small Communities Fund, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

To find out more about Ontario's infrastructure programs, including the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, visit http://www.moi.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure

www.peterborough.ca

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