Alice Wong, MP

News Release

RICHMOND – The Federal and Provincial governments are providing funding towards $41.2 million in several local infrastructure projects, announced today by Richmond MP Alice Wong and MLA for Richmond East Linda Reid.

A new $26.9-million interchange will be built at Nelson Road and Highway 91, to provide direct access from Highway 91 to the Fraser Port Industrial Area by extending Nelson Road north from the Westminster Highway. The new interchange will provide an alternate route for traffic using Westminster Highway as an east-west connection from Richmond, Highway 99, and Knight Street. This project will reduce traffic congestion, and create better access to the highway network. Community partners will also contribute funding towards this project.

$12.3 million of the joint funding will provide two new sections of shoulder bus lanes along Highway 99 – one from Sea Island Way to Westminster Highway (southbound), and one from Steveston Highway to Westminster Highway (northbound) tying into shoulder bus lanes currently under construction. This project will significantly reduce travel time for buses operating south of the Fraser River.

In addition, $2 million will go towards extending Lansdowne Road to link #3 Road and the Olympic Oval.

“Canada’s economic action plan is working for Richmond,” said Wong. “This announcement is a great example how the Canadian government works together with other levels of government to fund projects that will have long-term benefits for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.”

“These projects are spectacular news for Richmond,” said Reid. “We’re improving access to Fraser Port, minimizing impacts on local farmers and residents along Westminster Highway and creating 260 new jobs. We’re also making it easier for residents to use transit. All of these infrastructure projects will bring long lasting benefits to my constituents.”

These projects are a part of the $290-million infrastructure investment, recently announced by the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

The provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program 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 federal portion of the funding comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects that will begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. This initiative is structured to flow funding and get shovels in the ground quickly.

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