IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS

April 14, 2009

Enderby, B.C. — An accelerated investment of $5 million for highway improvements in Enderby, BC will create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve road safety. Residents of the Okanagan will benefit from joint federal and provincial funding to improve a local intersection.

The Highway 97A project will include improvements to the Hubert/Hwy 97A intersection as part of a phased approach to improving traffic flow through the City of Enderby.  This project will improve travel and safety conditions and increase transportation efficiency and is expected to create about 25 direct jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest. This highway initiative is part of an overall, three-year $14-billion capital infrastructure program (www.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure) supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

 “The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of British Columbia to fast track infrastructure spending, stimulate the economy and create new jobs for Canadians,” said Colin Mayes. “Today’s announcement is a clear example that we are delivering on our promise.”

“The B.C. government has been working with the Government of Canada to get these dollars flowing into communities across the province. These initiatives will improve travel and safety conditions and increase transportation efficiency on a number of highways across B.C.,” said Minister Falcon. “They’re expected to create over 1,500 direct jobs, at a time when the jobs will be most appreciated”.

The Government of Canada is accelerating and expanding recent federal investments in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. The Government of Canada has identified these projects as a priority for infrastructure funding consideration under the British Columbia – Canada Provincial Territorial Base Funding Agreement.