Township of Mapleton, Township of Centre Wellington and Town of Erin Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

DRAYTON — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Mapleton, Centre Wellington and Erin today announced funding for water system, bridge and road upgrades.

"These investments will provide a safer water distribution system in Mapleton and protect Moorefield Creek," said Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing. "The projects in Centre Wellington and Erin will result in the removal of load restrictions and detours around the four bridges, and create alternative routes for commuters, which will support a more efficient transportation network in Wellington County." 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. Fontana.

"We are proud to participate in projects that will provide a quality of life that is second to none for the residents in Mapleton, Centre Wellington and Erin," said John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Middlesex. "These water, bridge and road improvements are examples of our government's commitment to improving essential infrastructure in our rural and small urban communities.

These investments, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will improve the 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 $1,972,667 to construct water distribution and wastewater collection systems in the Village of Moorefield. The Township of Mapleton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $5,918,000. The project includes constructing a communal water distribution network, sewage collection and transmission systems, and upgrading the Drayton Sewage Treatment Plant.

"We are excited about moving forward with these upgrades to our water distribution system, which will ensure high quality drinking water for our residents and improved treatment of wastewater," said John Green, Mayor of the Township of Mapleton.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will also each invest up to $1,079,440 to reconstruct two bridges. The Township of Centre Wellington will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $3,238,320. The bridge located on Gerrie Road at the Irvine River will be reconstructed, and structure 20-P located on Eighth Line at the Grand River will be replaced with a new two-lane bridge.

"These new bridges will provide two-way unrestricted traffic, which will reduce the accident rate, allow passage of large agricultural equipment and heavy trucks, and improve visibility and roadside safety," said Russ Spicer, Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $355,667 to reconstruct two bridges and a section of 15 Sideroad. The Town of Erin will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,067,000. The project includes realigning and raising the grade of the road to prevent frequent flooding and softening of the road in the spring. In addition, the project will replace the single-lane structure with two-lane bridges, and lengthen one culvert to accommodate widening the road.

"I am delighted that our community has been awarded funding for this high priority transportation project, which will improve visibility for drivers, remove the load restrictions on the bridges, and improve the mobility of goods and services," said Rod Finnie, Mayor of the Town of Erin.

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:

John Green
Mayor of the Township of Mapleton
519-638-3313

Russ Spicer
Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington
519-846-9691

Rod Finnie
Mayor of the Town of Erin
519-855-4407

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468