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Federal Provincal Partnership In Elk VAlley November 24, 2009

Posted by admin in : Bill Bennett , comments closed

Residents from Fernie and Sparwood will benefit from federal and provincial infrastructure funding with a $7 million upgrade to Highway 3, announced today by Kootenay-Columbia MP Jim Abbott and Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. This project is just one example of both governments’ commitment to stimulating the British Columbia economy through the creation of jobs in our communities.

This project will create local jobs to construct passing lanes on Highway 3 in both directions between Hosmer and Olsen, improving time, safety, and convenience of drivers.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Government is getting shovels in the ground and flowing money faster to stimulate the economy and create jobs for British Columbians,” said Kootenay-Columbia MP Jim Abbott. “Working together with all levels of government, we can build the infrastructure that will help the economy to thrive now and in the future.”

“By adding passing lanes in this area of Highway 3, the many people who commute between Fernie and Sparwood-Elkford, will have a safe option to pass slower traffic,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “Residents of the Elk Valley have been asking for this for awhile as east-west traffic on Highway 3 has grown tremendously. It is gratifying to once again work jointly and constructively with MP Jim Abbott on getting this done for the benefit of all our constituents in the Elk Valley.”

The government of Canada will invest $3.5 million and British Columbia will contribute $3.5 million to invest up to $7 million in the project.

This project is one of 27 across the province that will break ground thanks to close to $180 million in joint federal and provincial funding. The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects starting in the 2009 construction season.

The projects are funded under the Province’s three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program, which will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C. To date, over $4.1 billion has already been announced for projects across British Columbia, which will create an estimated 26,000 jobs.