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Profiles of projects in New Brunswick
- Bath
- Bay of Fundy
- Belledune
- Bouctouche
- Fredericton
- Grande-Anse
- Harvey Station
- Johnson's Mills
- McAdam
- Richibucto
- Saint John
- White Brook
Small Upgrades, Big Difference
Protecting Public Health and the Environment
Project location: Bath, New Brunswick
Sometimes small upgrades make the biggest difference.
Power interruptions didn't happen often in Bath, New Brunswick, but when they did, the village's water supply was in jeopardy, which affected public safety and security.
With the help of $20,000 from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund, officials in Bath purchased an automatic starter for the generator at the main well house, generators for two booster stations and a new automated chlorination system to meter and chlorinate water more accurately.
These purchases ensure a continuous supply of power to pump water and maintain the pressure in the lines, even during power failures. They also ensure consistent water quality, which will prevent boil-water orders, and more efficiently run water treatment operations.
According to Mayor Troy Stone, these three small upgrades advance “the safety and security of the village's water supply . . . to the highest level possible.” Bath can now move forward to attract new residents and businesses with assurances about the safety of a critical community component – safe, reliable drinking water.
Federal contribution: $20,000
Fundy Trail Parkway
Project location: Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
With over 50 per cent of the trail work already completed, this $10-million project is well on its way to meeting its June 30, 2010, projected completion date. This pristine coastal destination in the Bay of Fundy region of New Brunswick is already attracting more tourism to the area.
Port of Belledune Terminal Expansion
Project location: Belledune, New Brunswick
The Port of Belledune terminal expansion project consists of the construction of an 18-hectare cargo storage area, a Roll-on-Roll-off (RO-RO) Barge Terminal and refurbishing of Terminal 1. The new multi-use cargo storage area will accommodate the demand for bulk storage within proximity of the wharf and a further storage area of three hectares will be constructed to complement the new Roll-on-Roll-off ramp.
The new RO-RO/Barge Terminal will consist of a ramp system to accept both stern ramp RO-RO vessels and barges to allow the loading of component and wheeled cargoes. As well, a further storage area of 2 hectares will be constructed to compliment the RO-RO ramp.
The refurbishment of Terminal 1 is as a result of a structural analysis carried out on the wharf in 2008. Terminal 1 was built in 1967 and only maintenance has been done on the wharf since that time. A comprehensive structural refurbishment is required to continue the use of this key terminal.
In speaking about the project, Mr. Rayburn Doucett, President and CEO of the Port of Belledune said, "Our investment in the port of Belledune's expansion project will not only put people to work but it symbolizes the beginning of the transformation of northern New Brunswick's economy.
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Federal contribution: $26,400,000
New Civic Centre with Economic Benefits
Project location: Bouctouche, New Brunswick
Thanks to an investment from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and funding from the municipal and provincial governments, the town of Bouctouche, New Brunswick, 40 kilometres northeast of Moncton on Northumberland Strait, is getting a new municipal building.
The facility will house the town hall and municipal offices along with community meeting rooms, an indoor jogging track and a regulation-size hockey rink with seating for 1,000 people. The centre replaces a number of outdated buildings that were getting expensive to maintain and no longer met community needs.
The town expects significant long-term cost benefits trough shared building administration and management fees as well as reduced operating costs. Mayor Aldéo Saulnier sees the new facility as a "tremendous addition to the town of Bouctouche and the entire region" that will "provide a significant economic boost in a difficult economy."
Federal contribution: $5,000,000
Highway Construction and Rehabilitation of Routes 101, 102, and 109
Project location: Fredericton and Perth-Andover, New Brunswick
With funding from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, these highway projects, which have a total cost of $4.2 million, will assist in extending the life of the highways while improving road safety. The federal government contributed over $2.1 million towards the projects which improved the highways for the benefit and safety of New Brunswick's drivers.
Federal contribution: $2,100,000
Road Improvements in Fredericton
Project location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
An investment through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund of Canada's Economic Action Plan is improving roads in Fredericton.
Construction and rehabilitation along 9.5 kilometres of the City's Route 101, from New Maryland village and O'Leary Road means a smooth and safer ride for drivers.
Work began and was completed in July 2009. It involved replacing two cross-roadway culverts, cold milling the roadway surface and a fresh layer of asphalt.
This project also involves the improvement of 2.4 kilometres of Route 102. This multi-lane roadway in Fredericton and provides a vital connection between downtown and northern parts of the City. Work includes cold milling the main lanes and on- and off-ramps, followed by a new layer of asphalt.
"This project was a success because it improved the roads for the benefit and safety of the drivers," says Kevin McKnight, Resident Engineer, Department of Transportation.
Federal contribution: $1,350,000
Enhancing Tourism through Better Highways
Project location: Grande-Anse, New Brunswick
With $454,500 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, New Brunswick paved Route 11 through Grande-Anse to support local business and tourism opportunities.
The Village of Grande-Anse serves as a gateway to the Acadian Peninsula. To improve highway safety and enhance visitors' impressions of the region, rehabilitation of Route 11 through the village became a priority project.
The highway connects with Moncton in one direction and meanders along the coast, offering spectacular views of Chaleur Bay, before arriving in Campbellton and linking with the Quebec highway system in the other direction. As such, tourism traffic can be heavy along Route 11 and encouraging visitors to stay awhile in towns served by the highway is important to the economic stability of the area.
Federal contribution: $454,500
Brownfield Remediation
Project location: Harvey Station, New Brunswick
With $59,989 from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund, the small village of Harvey Station, about 35 kilometres southwest of Fredericton, turned a derelict eyesore in the centre of town into a space that can be used for the community.
An abandoned wood mill had become a hazard. Rotting piles of cedar leaned in all directions and posed a constant fire hazard. There was also a risk of the abandoned mill operations contaminating the village's water supply.
In January 2010, crews began clearing away the rotting wood and debris, providing much-needed jobs during the colder months. Mayor Winston Gamblin acknowledged the importance of winter-time employment to his community and spoke of the benefits of having space in the centre of the village become available for redevelopment.
Once site remediation is complete, the land will be a good candidate for a community-service facility. Ideas include a seniors' residence, recreational structure or social housing.
Federal contribution: $59,989
Eco-Sensitive Road Relocation
Project location: Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick
The force of tidal wave action poses serious maintenance challenges for crews trying to maintain coastal roads.
Along Shepody Bay, the innermost arm of the Bay of Fundy, Route 935 required repeated stabilization to make it safe for area residents and visitors. This area is home to Canada's first Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve at Johnson's Mills, where nutrient-rich mudflats and roosting beaches attract millions of migrating shorebirds every summer. The birds, in turn, attract bird watchers and other tourists from all over the world. Route 935 takes these visitors to the mudflats.
Over time, rerouting part of Route 935 away from the eroding bank of Shepody Bay became the most practical solution. With an investment of $1 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Department of Transportation of New Brunswick was able to undertake the eco-sensitive task of relocating 2.3 kilometres of Route 935 further inland.
The relocation of the road helps take traffic out of the buffer zone that is crucial to the ecological integrity of Shepody Bay. It also eliminates the repeated stabilization efforts and provides anyone using the road with safe access to the Shorebird Reserve.
Federal contribution: $1,000,000
More Competitive Shipping
Project location: McAdam, New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR) operates 364 kilometres of track between Saint John and the Maine border and from McAdam to St. Stephen. It offers direct access to the Port of Saint John and connections to other railroads operating in the Maritimes. It also operates several truck–rail reload operations that include logging, chemicals and dry-bulk transfers.
Now, thanks to $9 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, matched by the province, and doubled by the company, the NBSR is taking steps to stay competitive.
Work crews will replace, upgrade and fortify ties, steel rails, rail beds and bridges, and renovate terminals in Saint John and McAdam. In addition to sustaining 40 existing jobs, 35 to 40 people will be hired for the duration of the project.
The upgrades will allow NBSR to carry heavier loads along its lines, something that had hindered its past competitiveness. This also means rail cars can be interchanged with other railroads for even greater efficiency.
The improvements will provide better connections to the region's transportation corridors and better market access for rural shippers. In reducing the use of truck transportation, the regional road infrastructure will benefit as will the environment with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The benefits of the railway upgrade also extend to customers of NBSR. The Ganong chocolates plant in St. Stephen, for example, relies on bulk shipment of sweeteners by rail.
Federal contribution: $9,000,000
Safe, Reliable Drinking Water
Upgraded Water Distribution
Project location: Richibucto, New Brunswick
Construction is almost complete on an upgrade to the water distribution system in Richibucto, New Brunswick; $315,974 from the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund helped the town develop and deliver a new source of potable water to the community.
Richibucto's proximity to Northumberland Strait affected the town's water supply. The salt water that infiltrated existing wells could result in the creation of dangerous levels of trihalomethane (THM) in the municipal water system.
With the risk posed by THM, Richibucto used the funds to help develop a new potable water supply and build a pump house and watermain to link the new well to the town's existing treatment plant. Funds were also used to renew the watermain along Acadie Street, a major thoroughfare in the town.
The water supply in Richibucto is now safe and reliable with THM levels below the limits identified by Health Canada.
Federal contribution: $315,974
Reduced Operating Costs
Enhanced Recycling, More Jobs
Project location: Saint John, New Brunswick
A desire to facilitate the recycling process and reduce the volume of recyclable materials ending up in landfills prompted a $220,477 contribution from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund to improve material recovery in Saint John.
The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission used the funds to build a sorting conveyor to simplify the separation of recyclables. New baling equipment also meant the sorted materials could be packaged on site for direct shipment to buyers.
With the new equipment, the Commission now manages recyclables more efficiently. This means reduced operating costs and the ability to react quickly to ever-changing markets for recyclables, further maximizing potential revenue streams. The Commission also has more flexibility to add materials to the recyclables collected in Saint John.
The new conveyor and baler meant one more full-time and 10 part-time positions at the sorting plant.
Increased public participation ensures fewer recyclables end up in landfills, which means less pressure on landfill sites and more efficient use of collection trucks. Both lead to a cleaner environment and reduced operating costs, something local residents are quickly embracing. Improved sales of recyclable materials also means the City of Saint John can take on additional environmental initiatives.
Federal contribution: $220,477
Investing in Feeder Highways
Project location: White Brook, New Brunswick
Route 17 in northern New Brunswick connects parts of the Gaspé Peninsula and the Baie des Chaleurs area with the Trans-Canada Highway and a border crossing into the State of Maine. As such, it is a key transportation corridor supporting the national highway systems in both countries – and one in need of upgrades.
The Province of New Brunswick applied for, and matched, a $918,000 contribution from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to rebuild a stretch of Route 17 between White Brook and Kedgwick in the central part of northern New Brunswick.
Work included patching dangerous ruts and cracks, resurfacing the road with fresh asphalt and smoothing out the grade. Passing lanes were added, shoulders widened and upgraded guardrails installed.
With a stronger pavement structure and smoother surface, the danger of hydroplaning is reduced and traffic flow should improve significantly. The upgrades also mean less long-term road maintenance, increased safety and reduced wear on vehicles.
Federal Funding: $918,000
Project profiles in other provinces and territories: