December 7, 2007 Thunder Bay An official ceremony today marked the completion of the widening of Red River Road and realignment of Broadway Avenue. Joe Comuzzi, MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North; Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan; Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North; and Lynn Peterson, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay, are pleased to see this important Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) project come to fruition.
The reconstruction of Red River Road included widening the road, the addition of a new centre-left turn lane and improved intersections to reduce the accident rate and improve traffic safety. This major arterial road and important commercial corridor connects the northwest portion of the City and Highway 11/17 (Thunder Bay Expressway). The realignment of Broadway Avenue allows traffic to bypass the Bowater Mill, moves logging trucks off Broadway and improves safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Thunder Bay each committed up to $2,359,431 to improving Thunder Bay area infrastructure. This investment includes up to $1.48 million to the two roads, as well as up to $266,667 to the rehabilitation of the Oliver Road Culvert. The total eligible costs were $2.4 million for Red River Road, $2.03 million for Broadway Avenue and $800,000 for the culvert. Bowater Inc. contributed an additional $300,000 to the Broadway Avenue project. The City of Thunder Bay will also begin the rehabilitation of John Street next year with the remainder of the total COMRIF Intake Two commitment.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to have committed more than $2.3 million to this road project in the City of Thunder Bay,” said MP Comuzzi. “This project enhances the community’s economic and transportation opportunities, improves quality of life and increases public safety.”
“Our investment of $2.3 million shows we are working to strengthen Ontario’s rural communities and improve the quality of life for residents in the City of Thunder Bay,” said MPP Mauro. “The rehabilitation of these two arterial roads will help improve the safety of local residents.”
“I am extremely pleased with the provincial government’s continued commitment to improving the roads of Northwestern Ontario,” said MPP Gravelle. “These particular improvements will allow for enhanced opportunities for further economic growth in the area.”
“These are major advances in the City of Thunder Bay’s overall plan to renew our infrastructure,” said Mayor Peterson. “First and foremost, they mean improved safety. They also strengthen our economy by streamlining access to industry on Broadway Avenue and improving access to the commercial corridor along Red River Road. We greatly appreciate the support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and our private sector partner, Bowater.”
Under the five-year, $900-million COMRIF program, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to respond to local needs through infrastructure upgrades to provide clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, safer local roads and bridges, as well as other health and safety priorities.
For further information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.
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