Canada Invests in Prince Edward Island's Infrastructure with Road Upgrades

Strategic Insights -

The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island have announced funding for a significant road upgrade project across the province. The project aims to improve connections between communities and enhance road quality, durability, and life expectancy. The investments will help create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and make communities more sustainable and resilient. The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced the funding on behalf of the governments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project involves approximately 5 kilometres of new construction and 36 kilometres of road rehabilitation across Prince Edward Island.
  • The new construction will include placing borrow materials, granular materials, and asphalt, while the rehabilitation work will include asphalt resurfacing.
  • The project aims to improve connections between communities through increased road quality and durability, extending their life expectancy for many years.
  • The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are each investing more than $2.3 million in this project through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
  • The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay emphasized that investments in road upgrades are crucial for rural communities, supporting industries and helping Islanders stay connected.
  • The Honourable Wayne Easter and Robert Morrissey highlighted the importance of rural communities in Canada's economy and the need for improved road conditions to facilitate population growth, economic development, and job creation.
  • The Honourable James Aylward stated that roads are the lifelines of the province, creating connectivity between rural communities and contributing to building flourishing communities.

Statistics:

  • The Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
  • $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects.
  • The Government of Canada has invested more than $420 million in 175 infrastructure projects across Prince Edward Island under the Investing in Canada plan.
  • Across Canada, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has contributed $9.7 billion to 3,500 infrastructure projects.

Sources:

  • Infrastructure Canada (2023, Aug. 6). Investments in Prince Edward Island's infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to create jobs, economic growth, and make our communities more sustainable and resilient.
  • Quotes by Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Honourable Wayne Easter, Robert Morrissey, and Honourable James Aylward, August 6.
  • Quick facts, August 6.
  • Infrastructure Canada (no date). Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
  • Government of Canada (no date). Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.