August 19, 2010
Cost Savings = More Projects & More Jobs

ENDERBY – Competitive bidding pays off as a portion of $42 million in savings will go towards making Highway 97A safer for travellers, just one of 21 B.C. infrastructure projects getting underway through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

“Thanks to the healthy economic competition in our bidding processes, we are able to fund additional projects that will make our roads safer for our families and create jobs for British Columbians,” says Shuswap MLA George Abbott.   

“The Government of Canada is committed to creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Canadians,” says Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Chuck Strahl. “We are pleased to partner with British Columbia on these highway improvement projects that will lead to safer roads for residents and visitors across the province.”

The provincial government is contributing $1.2 million toward the total cost of $2 million. The project is expected to be complete by October 1, 2010.

The funding for these 21 projects is available as the result of savings achieved through competitive bids on previously announced provincial Infrastructure Stimulus Fund highway projects. It is estimated these new projects will create more than 270 direct jobs. Of the $42 million invested, $38 million is eligible under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund – split equally between Canada and B.C.

The federal contribution to these projects comes from the $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, over 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $500 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.

Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for accelerated capital projects across British Columbia, which is estimated to generate more than 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects.

For more information about George and the Shuswap constituency visit www.georgeabbottmla.bc.ca

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