Canada and Ontario Support Burgoyne Bridge Replacement Project

This announcement was made today by Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Jim Bradley, Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and Gary Burroughs, Regional Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.

The governments of Canada and Ontario are each setting aside one-third of eligible project costs, up to a maximum contribution of $18,167,000 each. The Regional Municipality of Niagara will provide the remaining funding. The total eligible cost of this project is estimated at $54.5 million. This project has been identified by federal and provincial governments as a priority for funding consideration under the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.

Federal and provincial funding towards this project is conditional on the successful completion of federal and provincial due diligence review of the project, including analysis of the project business case, and the successful negotiation of a contribution agreement.

Once complete, the new bridge will replace the original structure built in 1915. The proposed replacement project includes: construction of a new concrete structure adjacent to the existing bridge and removal of the existing bridge; construction of an approach road to the realigned structure; reconstruction of two access roads beneath the new bridge; and landscaping and restoration of the construction area in accordance with Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s requirements. The Region plans to start construction in 2013 and complete the project by the end of 2014.