Canada and New Brunswick support Upper Stone Ridge Covered Bridge replacement

Funding also supports highway infrastructure in province

Burtt’s Corner, New Brunswick, January 29, 2010 – Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, and the Honourable Denis Landry, Minister of Transportation, today announced that the governments of Canada and New Brunswick will jointly contribute $360,000 towards the replacement of the Upper Stone Ridge Covered Bridge on the Keswick River, in York County. In addition, both governments will jointly contribute $725,000 for pavement rehabilitation on Route 109 in north-western New Brunswick.

“When the Upper Stone Ridge Covered Bridge was destroyed, the community lost its only access to Morehouse Corner across the Keswick River. The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the province of New Brunswick to help rebuild this important bridge," said MP Allen. “Through our Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada is not only creating jobs and stimulating the economy, we are also helping communities have access to important infrastructure, such as the bridge and highway we are announcing today.”

“This cherished landmark was the last covered bridge that spanned the Keswick River,” said Minister Landry. “I am pleased that the federal government has joined us to replace this piece of rural infrastructure that will benefit people and this region. These investments will deliver immediate benefits and will be the foundation of sustainable long-term economic growth and self-sufficiency."

The Upper Stone Ridge Covered Bridge project involves replacing the covered bridge on the Keswick River, which was destroyed by fire in October 2008. The replacement of the bridge will provide both social and safety benefits to the residents of the community by reducing the travel time to destinations across the river and by ensuring that emergency service vehicles have a direct connection to the homes on both sides of the river. The start of construction is projected for June 2010, with completion in September 2010.

The Government of Canada is contributing $180,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to support this initiative, with a matching contribution from New Brunswick. The total combined estimated cost of this project is $360,000.

Work on Highway 109 will include pavement rehabilitation for deterioration of existing structure from Trout Brook Area to Tobique River #3. The federal contribution to this project will total $362,500 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Government of New Brunswick will match this contribution.

The federal $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is a key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Fund invests in construction-ready infrastructure projects that can be completed by March 31, 2011.

For more information, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Contacts:

James Kusie
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Bruce Macfarlane
Regional Development Corporation
506-476-1376