Christian Island residents to benefit from Beausoleil wharf expansion

CHRISTIAN ISLAND, ON, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transportation services that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time, and back home safely at the end of a long day. The governments of Canada and Ontario are making investments that will help create well-paying jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, today announced over $4.7 million in federal and provincial funding to expand the Beausoleil wharves on Christian Island and Cedar Point.

The governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing up to $2,354,167 to this project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component ? Small Communities Fund. The Beausoleil First Nation will also provide $2,354,167, bringing the total investment to over $7 million.

The Beausoleil wharf expansion project will expand and rehabilitate the existing dock structures at the Christian Island and Cedar Point terminals. Work will include a dock expansion to approximately 60 metres at each terminus, construction to expand or rehabilitate ramps, fenders and bollards, and dredging to accommodate new ferries. Work will also see improvements to the breakwaters, marine lights and launch ramps. The project will modernize transportation between the island and the mainland, and support a new passenger ferry service to connect the residents of Christian Island to social, economic and health services.

Once complete, this project will increase safety, make it faster and easier for passengers and vehicles to load and unload, as well as promote tourist activities on Christian Island.

Quotes

"Investing in transportation networks connects communities and offers Canadians and local businesses greater economic opportunities. Today's investment will benefit the Beausoleil First Nation community, businesses and tourists, while fostering long-term prosperity across the region."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The provincial government's investment in the expansion of the wharf infrastructure at Beausoleil First Nation will help to improve transportation options between Christian Island and the mainland, improving economic opportunities and access to important social and health services. Ontarians need a solid foundation of such services to succeed, and this is why our government continues to make such investments a key priority."

The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

"Beausoleil First Nation is very excited to begin construction of our wharves in the Spring of 2018. This new infrastructure will support expansion of existing parking to alleviate congestion along with supporting marine and tourism economic development opportunities in the area of Cedar Point. This new infrastructure is also being designed to accommodate our new ferry, which is slated to begin construction in 2018. On behalf of our community, I would like to say Gchi-Miigwetch to the governments of Canada and Ontario for their financial support for this very important infrastructure upgrade for Beausoleil First Nation."

Chief Mary King, Beausoleil First Nation

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The Government of Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html  

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component ? Small Communities Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada