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Canada Supports Kicking Horse Highway Improvements

Nov. 6, 2007

GOLDEN – The governments of Canada and British Columbia today announced improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon as a priority for funding under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s new long-term infrastructure plan. The Governments of Canada and British Columbia also announced the signing of a Framework Agreement worth over $2.2 billion under Building Canada. The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, along with the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation for British Columbia, made the announcement today.

“Highway improvements through the Kicking Horse Canyon will ensure a safer and more reliable highway for people who use this key corridor,” said Minister Cannon. “These improvements and the signing of a framework agreement between Canada and British Columbia exemplify what Building Canada is all about – ensuring that all Canadians have modern, safe and efficient infrastructure.”

“Improving the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon continues to be one of our top transportation priorities,” said Premier Campbell. “Cost-sharing with the Government of Canada enables us to proceed with upgrades to strengthen, straighten, and widen this stretch of highway, improving safety for all motorists.”

“The Trans-Canada Highway is B.C.’s gateway to the rest of the country, and it is a vital link for transporting commercial goods and for tourism,” said Minister Falcon. “These upgrades will continue to improve the safety and the efficiency of this critical trade corridor.”

As part of the improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Government of Canada will fund up to one-half of eligible costs, to a maximum of $64.2 million. The total estimated cost of these improvements is $134.5 million. The Province of British Columbia is contributing $70.1 million.

The improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through Kicking Horse Canyon funded under this announcement will include the construction of approximately 12 kilometres of twinned highway, delivered under two components. The first component, located on the east end, involves the upgrade of the highway from 10 Mile Hill, near the location of the commercial vehicle brake check, east to the boundary of Yoho National Park. The second component, located on the west end, involves upgrading the Trans-Canada Highway from the Highway 95 junction in Golden east towards the future ‘West Portal,’ the term for the proposed tunnel entrance. Works undertaken as part of this initiative will improve safety, strengthen Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor, and support tourism in the area.

Federal financial support for highway improvements through the Kicking Horse Canyon is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable federal eligibility requirements under Building Canada flowing from a full federal due diligence review of this project, completion of environmental assessments required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the signing of all necessary agreements for the initiative.

Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country.
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