The Atlantic Road Report
News and views collected from around the Atlantic region so you don’t have to…yer welcome!
Newfoundland
New Accessible Vehicles for Reliable GoBus Paratransit Services in St. John’s
On August 6, the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; the Honourable Bernard Davis, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Environment and Climate Change; the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John’s, announced joint funding to replace St. John’s paratransit vehicles.
Through this investment, the paratransit fleet of buses used in the GoBus service in St. John’s and Mount Pearl will be replaced with Metrobus purchasing up to 18 new accessible paratransit vehicles. The new buses will ensure paratransit users continue to have access to the reliable transportation services they need.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.1 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing over $755,000, while the City of St. John’s is contributing more than $377,000.
“Our government works with municipalities in all areas of the province so that we can provide better infrastructure and services for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. By replacing the accessible paratransit fleet with newer vehicles, we are proactively ensuring the GoBus service can continue without disruption for everyone who depends on it.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
New Brunswick
Eleven communities receive provincial and federal funding for infrastructure projects
The provincial and federal governments announced $8.3 million in funding August 5 for 11 infrastructure projects across the province that are intended to provide residents with safe and reliable infrastructure and better position their communities for growth.
“Investments of this type help equip communities with the infrastructure they need for both population and economic growth and help ensure they will continue to flourish for generations to come,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.
Projects include road improvements in Oromocto and Gagetown as well as a wellfield expansion in McAdam. In addition, maintenance depots in Debec, Centreville, Petitcodiac, Woodman’s Point, Gagetown, Hampton, and Hanwell will receive structural upgrades. These upgrades include removing hazardous material, new roofing and windows, and improved heating and plumbing. A sand dome in Grand Manan will also be upgraded.
“These investments will extend the life of important department facilities,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jill Green. “The upgraded facilities will help us to effectively manage our large network of roadways, bridges and infrastructure.”
The federal government is investing more than $6.6 million in these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The provincial government is contributing $980,000 while municipalities and other funding partners are contributing more than $686,000.
“The Government of Canada is taking strong and quick action to protect the health and safety of all Canadians, to stabilize our economy, and support communities across Canada. These projects will extend the lifespan of important community infrastructure across New Brunswick and create energy efficient cost saving benefits,” said Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin. “Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
NOVA SCOTIA
Province to Introduce Bilingual Stop Signs in Acadian Communities
The province will begin installing bilingual stop signs on provincial roads in some Acadian communities this summer.
“This is an historic moment for our province that strengthens our commitment to French language and culture in Acadian communities,” said Acadian Affairs and Francophonie Minister Lena Metlege Diab. “As part of the province’s Culture Action Plan, we continue to work with communities to find new ways to acknowledge and celebrate our diverse, inclusive province.”
In 2019, a group of young Acadian students from Clare met with government representatives including Clare-Digby MLA Gordon Wilson, as part of their project to introduce bilingual stop signs in the Municipality of Clare.
This regulation change mirrors other francophone communities in Canada where bilingual stop signs have been introduced to support, reflect and celebrate francophone language and culture.
“We applaud the initiative of these young students, their teachers and La Société acadienne de Clare. They have demonstrated commitment to citizenship and making meaningful change, not just in their community, but across the province, said .Lloyd Hines, Transportation and Active Transit Minister
“I am very proud of the work the students have done. It was a very enriching experience for them. Not only have they learned how different levels of government work, they have learned how to be agents of change. I hope that they will continue to participate in civic engagement as they become adults and continue to be active members of their communities,” said Natalie Robichaud, executive director, la Société acadienne de Clare
Prince Edward Island
Canada and Prince Edward Island invest in road upgrades across the province
The health and safety of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island. Investments in Prince Edward Island’s infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to create jobs, economic growth, and make our communities more sustainable and resilient.
On August 12, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Cardigan; the Honourable Wayne Easter, Member of the Joint Interparliamentary Council and Member of Parliament for Malpeque; Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, and the Honourable James Aylward, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, announced funding for road upgrades across the province.
The project will see approximately five kilometres of construction and 36 kilometres of rehabilitation on local roads across Prince Edward Island. New construction will include placing borrows, granular materials and asphalt, and the rehabilitation work will include asphalt resurfacing.
The project aims to improve connections between communities through increased road quality and durability that will extend their life expectancy for many years to come.
The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are each investing more than $2.3 million in this project through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
“Investments in road upgrades for rural communities like the project we are announcing today will not only help Islanders stay connected but it will also support our various industries. As we build back better, Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger, safer, and more resilient communities,” said The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
