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PRESS RELEASES
June 27 , 2008
For Immediate Release
Federal Gas Tax Fund, Halton Region, help Burlington improve infrastructure
Burlington, Ontario, June 27, 2008 - The City of Burlington today recognized the contributions of the federal and regional governments in helping to reconstruct Brant Street from the city’s downtown gateway to near Lake Ontario.
The Brant Street reconstruction project began in 2006 and was completed in June 2008, including bike lanes to help promote green travel. The $5.4 million project was primarily funded by $2.8 million from the Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund, from Halton Region and from the City of Burlington.
“The City of Burlington appreciates its funding partners, and would like to extend special recognition to MP Mike Wallace, the federal government and the Region of Halton,” said Mayor Cam Jackson. “We are grateful for the input from our community partners, including the Burlington Cycling Committee and the Burlington Downtown Business Association.”
“Our city values its good working relationship with various levels of government to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses, making Burlington one of Canada’s most liveable cities,” Mayor Jackson said.
Through its strategic plan Future Focus Seven, Burlington aims to build infrastructure to support the city’s transportation demands, optimizing traffic flow and encouraging alternative modes of transportation. The city has successfully gained federal, provincial and regional funding for such pedestrian-friendly projects as the completed Waterfront at Downtown Burlington and the Brant Street Pier now under construction. The waterfront boasts 325,000 visitors a year.
“The federal Gas Tax Fund is about helping municipalities build environmentally sustainable infrastructure that meets their local needs,” said MP Mike Wallace. “Brant Street is an important part of downtown Burlington, and improvements to it, such as new bike lanes and sidewalks, will help the city flourish and build toward a healthier environment.”
Through its unprecedented $33 billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund by $2 billion a year for four years from 2010 to 2014. This investment will support cleaner water, cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Brant Street road and bicycle lane reconstruction project is an example of an innovative approach to replacing aging infrastructure to help promote economic prosperity and environmentally friendly travel," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.
The Government of Canada recognizes that for our municipalities to remain competitive and prosperous, they need stable long-term funding. In Budget 2008, the Government announced that the Gas Tax Fund will be permanent at $2 billion a year beyond 2014. A permanent Gas Tax Fund will provide municipalities with a reliable source of funds that will help them better plan and finance their infrastructure needs.
“The federal Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together in order to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in Ontario,” said Doug Reycraft, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). “The funding is supporting hundreds of important infrastructure projects and is critical to Ontario's competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”
For more information, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Donna Kell
Manager, Public Affairs
Tel. 905-335-7841
Cell. 905-632-9082
kelld@burlington.ca
Mayor Cam Jackson
City of Burlington
Tel. 905-335-7607
Cell. 905-335-7708
mayorjackson@burlington.ca
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