Canada and Manitoba invest in rural transit projects across the province

WINNIPEG, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Manitoba recognize that strategic investments in public transit and active transportation infrastructure play a key role in developing dynamic communities, encouraging healthy lifestyles and ensuring everyone can get around their communities easily and efficiently.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations, announced the details of five transportation projects in rural communities. The work is being funded through the province's Small Communities Transportation Fund, which is supported federally using a portion of Manitoba's annual federal Gas Tax Fund allocation.

• The City of Thompson is building a new multi-use path from the east side of the Mystery Lake intersection along Princeton Drive to Highland Tower.
• Winkler will use the funding to design a multi-use active transportation pathway along the south side of the corridor through the Regional Municipality of Stanley to the City of Morden.
• Prairie View is purchasing a 6-passenger van to increase handi-transit services for people with disabilities.
• La Broquerie is adding three trails/sidewalks to its active transportation network.

Once completed, these projects will help create more inclusive and sustainable transportation options for all residents, improving the quality of life in these communities for years to come.

Quotes

"Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada allows communities in Manitoba, and all across Canada, to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments. The projects announced today will provide rural Manitobans with safer and more extensive active transportation opportunities and improve access to services for people with disabilities."

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of Minister Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Strategic investments in Manitoba's transportation infrastructure support economic development, revitalization and growth in our smaller communities. Funding for the five projects announced today will improve transit accessibility and quality of life for residents in our rural municipalities."

Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations  

Quick facts

• The cities of Winkler, Thompson and Morden will each receive up to $50,000 for their projects. The Municipality of Prairie View will receive $30,500 and the Municipality of La Broquerie will receive $19,500.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. 
• The Small Communities Transportation Fund is an application-based funding program that supports small, rural Manitoba communities' investments in eligible transit, handi-transit or active transportation projects.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/mb-eng.html

The federal Gas Tax Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

The federal Gas Tax Fund in Manitoba: http://www.gov.mb.ca/imr/mr/fedgastax/index.html

The Small Communities Transportation Fund in Manitoba: http://www.gov.mb.ca/mr/bldgcomm/sctf.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada