| August 19, 2010 OSOYOOS – Competitive bidding pays off as $2.7 million in savings will go towards making Highway 97 safer for drivers and passengers, just one of 21 B.C. infrastructure projects getting underway through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. “Thanks to our prudent fiscal management, we were able to use cost savings to fund additional infrastructure projects that will help keep your family safe on B.C.’s highways,” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater. “The re-paving of Summerland Hill will fit in nicely with the new Summerland Bentley Road project and will ensure that Highway 97 continues to keep our local economies moving in a safe and efficient manner, while providing local jobs in the process,” says Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff. “The Government of Canada is committed to creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Canadians,” says Okanagan-Coquihalla MP the Honourable Stockwell Day. “We are pleased to partner with British Columbia on these highway improvement projects that will lead to safer roads for residents and visitors throughout the Okanagan Valley and Southern Interior.” The provincial government is contributing $1.65 million to the total $3 million resurfacing of Hwy 97 from Lakeshore Drive to Bentley Road in Summerland and from the U.S. border to Hwy 3 south of Osoyoos. 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. Visit John’s website at www.johnslatermla.bc.ca Visit Bill’s website at www.billbarisoffmla.bc.ca Suggested Tweet: Gov’t cost savings=more highway upgrades & more jobs. #okanagan #osoyoos -30- | |
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