Government of Canada invest in widening of route 185 and improves safety for Quebecers

• Backgrounder

Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!, Quebec, November 6, 2009 – On the occasion of the upcoming opening of two new sections of Highway 85, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec), is today pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has identified Phase 2 of the Route 185 project as a priority for funding under the Building Canada Fund. The project involves widening Route 185, which is part of the National Highway System, into a four-lane highway between the Cabano section and the New Brunswick border.

"As mentioned at the tabling of the 2009 Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is committed to achieving the completion of widening Highway 85 to a four-lane highway, and thus linking the Cabano section with the New Brunswick border. The completion of this project is another example of our government's determination to improve safety of Quebecers who travel on this strategic highway, and to make road traffic more fluid for the Bas-St-Laurent population," said the Honourable Denis Lebel. “By supporting Phase 2 of the Route 185 project, the Government of Canada is stimulating the economy and creating jobs while enhancing the safety of motorists traveling along this important road that is part of the Trans-Canada Highway."

The total cost of the project is estimated at $486 million. The Government of Canada will provide a contribution of up to 50 per cent of total eligible project costs, for a maximum federal contribution of $241.9 million.

The contribution of the federal government will be through the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, which aims to fund major infrastructure projects.

The federal investment complements the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, which accelerates and expands existing federal investments in infrastructure of $33 billion by injecting nearly $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.

For further information on investments in infrastructure, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

For more information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Sources:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, John Baird
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Backgrounder
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN WIDENING OF ROUTE 185 AND IMPROVES SAFETY OF QUEBECERS

The total cost of the project is estimated at $486 million. The Government of Canada will provide a contribution of up to 50 per cent of total eligible project costs, for a maximum federal contribution of $241.9 million. All other costs will be paid by the Government of Quebec.

The project involves widening Route 185, which is part of the National Highway System, into a four-lane highway between the Cabano section and the New Brunswick border.

The work targets the reconstruction of the route into a highway with two separate roadways, divided into five components over a distance of about 36 kilometres, including transition zones for temporary connection to the existing Route185.

The Phase 2 segment more particularly comprises the followingwork:

• 36 kilometres, including transition zones;
• 47 kilometres of service roads divided by sector on each side of Highway85;
• 3 grade-separated interchanges: at Lizotte Street in Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Saint-Benoît Road in Notre-Dame-du-Lac, and Industrielle Street in Dégelis;
• 3 agricultural crossings;
• 6 overpasses: in the Lizotte Street, Industrielle Street, Arc-en-Ciel Crescent, Rivière-Verte Road, Saint-Benoît Road and Neuf Road sectors;
• 3 major culverts;
• 1 tunnel for large fauna near the Hydro-Québec station;
• 1 highway inspection station (SAAQ - Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec - Quebec automobile insurance corporation) between Cabano and Notre-Dame-du-Lac.

Federal funding is contingent on the project meeting all federal eligibility requirements under the Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement with the Government of Quebec.