August 19, 2010
New Infrastructure Investments Bring Safer Roads, More Jobs to the North

PRINCE GEORGE – A series of side road improvements providing safer travels for motorists is the result of more federal and provincial infrastructure investments in the Prince George region. The federal and provincial governments are spending $2 million on road improvements, including repairs on Upper Fraser Road and resealing of subdivision roads in North Kelly, Reid Lake, Ness Lake and Buckhorn and Pineview Areas.

“This is another example of how we, along with our federal partners, are bringing record levels of investment and additional jobs to the North,” says Prince George -Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “The total transport investment in the North since 2001-02 is $1.5 billion. This year alone, over $200 million has been committed to highway projects that are expected to create over 1,200 jobs. As someone who was born and raised in Prince George, I know how important our rural highways and side roads are to our everyday lives and so we will continue to make targeted investments that make Prince George a great place to live, and raise a family.”

“These infrastructure projects are specifically tailored to improving the community and creating jobs,” says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “And thanks to this bidding process, we can make additional investments to further stimulate B.C.’s economy.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Canadians,” says Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris. “We are pleased to partner with British Columbia on these highway improvement projects that will lead to safer roads for residents and visitors across the province.”

The road upgrades will begin immediately and are scheduled to be completed by October 1, 2010. The additional funding came about from savings in other Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) highway projects around the province. This series of road improvements is just one of 21 new projects in B.C. worth $42 million. Of the $42 million invested, $38 million is eligible under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund – split equally between Canada and B.C. It is estimated that these 21 new projects will create more than 270 direct jobs.

The federal contribution to these projects comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, over 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $500 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.

Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for accelerated capital projects across British Columbia, which is estimated to generate more than 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects.

To learn more about Shirley’s work in Prince George-Valemount, visit www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/shirleybond.

To learn more about Pat’s work in Prince George-Mackenzie, visit www.patbellmla.bc.ca

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