Major Investment in Leamington’s Road System
April 11, 2013,
Improvements made possible thanks to Government of Canada funding
LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO – Road improvement work is set to begin soon at one of Leamington’s busiest intersections – Erie Street South and Oak Street – thanks to funding announced today by the Government of Canada and the Municipality of Leamington.
Federal Gas Tax funding is being used to improve the intersection with the addition of new left-turn lanes. As well, the traffic signal system and street lights are being replaced with more energy-efficient LED systems. Finally, the nearby Heinz Parkette will receive a new landscape feature, and a nearby pedestrian trail is being extended so that walkers, joggers and cyclists can more easily access the trail. Together, these changes will reduce commute times, reduce energy costs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, promote alternative modes of transportation and beautify the area.
“With the start of a new construction season, there is no better time to celebrate road upgrades that will contribute to the creation of local jobs and long-term economic growth in Leamington,” said the MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, Dave Van Kesteren, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. “Not only will these investments improve commute times and road safety, they will also reduce future maintenance costs and save taxpayers’ money.”
“The Municipality views the Erie/Oak intersection as an important people mover, including vehicles, walkers and cyclists,” said John Paterson, Mayor of the Municipality of Leamington. “Getting rid of the old infrastructure, providing a better design and installing energy efficient and reliable LED lighting and traffic signals is long overdue.”
The Municipality of Leamington will use just over $1 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund transfer towards this project. The total cost for the improvements is close to $2.1 million.
The Gas Tax Fund, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, provides long-term funding to help every municipality across the country build and revitalize public infrastructure. The Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion to date in municipal infrastructure through this Fund alone, which is now a permanent transfer of $2 billion per year. Between 2010 and 2014, the Municipality of Leamington will receive $3,537,809 from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure.
"Canada's Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in our municipalities," said Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Stable and predictable, the Gas Tax Fund is supporting long-term investment in local priority projects right across Ontario."
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 898,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
