Township of Hamilton, County of Northumberland, Municipality of Brighton and Township of Alnwick/Haldimand Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

COBOURG — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Hamilton, Northumberland, Brighton and Alnwick/Haldimand today announced funding for road and bridge improvements.

"The federal government reinforced its commitment to support sustainable infrastructure improvements in the New Deal for Cities and Communities," said Paul Macklin, MP for Northumberland–Quinte West. "The role of a bridge is to connect a community to opportunity and these upgrades will be vital for the growth of these municipalities." The Government of Canada's funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework, added Mr. Macklin.

"The Ontario government is investing nearly $1 billion in highway infrastructure this year to improve, expand and upgrade Ontario's highways, roads and bridges," said Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland. "The bridge improvements we are announcing today are an example of our government's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure – an important part of Ontario's plan for rural communities."

These investments, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will provide safer road infrastructure and improved quality of life for local residents.

The Government of Canada's contributions are contingent on the successful completion of environmental assessments of the proposed projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $338,333 to improve three bridges. The Township of Hamilton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,015,000. The project includes replacing the Raby and Macklin bridges. The Baltimore Creek Bridge will be rehabilitated and work will include sub-structure repairs and deck replacement. The road approaches to the three bridges will also be reconstructed.

"These improvements to our bridges are important to our community and will make a difference for the people of the Township of Hamilton," said Forrest Rowden, Mayor of the Township of Hamilton.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $205,333 to improve the Clapperton and CN Overhead bridges. The County of Northumberland will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $616,000. Work will include replacing the barrier wall and rehabilitating the fascia and curb on the Clapperton Bridge. The CN Overhead Bridge will be replaced.

"We are eager to proceed with these vital improvements to our bridges to ensure a safe and healthy community for all of our residents," said Peter Delanty, Warden of the County of Northumberland.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $133,750 to replace the Goodfellow Road Bridge. The Municipality of Brighton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $401,250. The project includes constructing a new steel multi-plate bridge with steel footings and an increased span.

"The Municipality of Brighton is excited to have the support of the federal and provincial governments for this infrastructure priority," said Chris Herrington, Mayor of the Municipality of Brighton.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $95,833 to rehabilitate the Radcliffe Bridge. The Township of Alnwick/Haldimand will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $287,500. The project includes replacing the girders, deck and railing, concrete repairs, installing new steel beam guide rails, and modifying the approaches to suit the new deck.

"This project is a priority for our community and we look forward to working with our federal and provincial partners to bring these upgrades to completion," said William Finley, Mayor of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.

Under COMRIF, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to improve public infrastructure in small urban and rural communities. The objectives of this initiative are to enhance and renew Ontario's aging public infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, protect the health and safety of citizens, support long-term economic growth and build strong, sustainable communities by giving municipalities the tools they need.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million program that focuses on local needs through infrastructure improvements 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. Green infrastructure is COMRIF's top priority with 55 per cent of funding for projects involving water quality, sustainable communities, climate change, and innovation.

COMRIF Intake Two will be launched in the coming weeks through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities. All Ontario municipalities of less than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

For further information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.

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Contacts:

Forrest Rowden
Mayor of the Township of Hamilton
905-342-2810

Peter Delanty
Warden of the County of Northumberland
905-372-3329

Chris Herrington
Mayor of the Municipality of Brighton
613-475-0670

William Finley
Mayor of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
905-349-2822

Andrea Kelly
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7066

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468