The Government of Canada and Province of Quebec invest $13.9 million in road work on Pink Road and De La Vérendrye Boulevard

GATINEAU, QC, May 24, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, representatives from Government of Canada joined representatives from the Province of Quebec to announce a total contribution of $13.9 M to the City of Gatineau. This funding, which is being provided under the Outaouais Road Agreement, will support the expansion of Pink Road, as well as the expansion and extension of De La Vérendrye Boulevard. This will help reduce traffic jams.

The Pink Road expansion project is divided into two phases:

• Phase 1 consists of widening Pink Road from two to four lanes, between De la Gravité Street and Grives Boulevard, over a length of 700 m.
• Phase 2 is the continuation of the Grives Boulevard project up to Vanier Road, over a length of 2.7 km. The funding provided solely covers preparatory activities for the project.

The City of Gatineau plans on beginning the work on Pink Road (phase 1) in 2018.

The expansion and extension of De La Vérendrye Boulevard consist of widening the boulevard westward and extending the boulevard eastward. The funding will cover the preparatory activities for this project.

Road work will advance over the course of the 2018-23 fiscal years. The funding will cover the construction work on Pink Road for phase 1, as well as the preparatory activities for phase 2. The funding will also cover the preparatory activities for widening and extending De La Vérendrye Boulevard.

The Outaouais Road Agreement is a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec for the improvement of the road system in the Outaouais area of the National Capital Region. Transport Canada is responsible for the financial management of this agreement.

The agreement between the Government of Quebec and the National Capital Commission, in addition to targeting certain major arteries which are managed by the Quebec Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, includes local traffic projects for which municipalities are responsible, as is the case for Pink Road and De La Vérendrye Boulevard in Gatineau.

Quotes

"We are pleased to move ahead with important public infrastructure investments in Gatineau. The improvements that will be made to Pink Road and De La Vérendrye Boulevard will allow residents of Gatineau and surrounding areas to benefit from a better flowing, safer, and more effective road system. We are very eager to have the work begin."

Steven MacKinnon
Member of Parliament for Gatineau
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement

"These expansion and extension projects are more than just road work. They will help to improve travel conditions for residents, while also contributing to regional economic development through improved access to local businesses."

Greg Fergus
Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer

"Investing in projects like these helps promote economic development and tourism in the National Capital Region by ensuring that infrastructure on the Gatineau side is of high quality and suited to the new realities. We are working towards the long-term goal of a safe, efficient, environmentally responsible road system."

William Amos
Member of Parliament for Pontiac

"I know that the people of Gatineau have been dreaming of these projects for some time now, the example of what can and must be done in terms of sustainable mobility. In fact, this project will help resolve traffic and safety problems by improving traffic flow, by mitigating the nuisances of heavy traffic, by securing left turns in the intersections and by making travel by bike and on foot safe. It is great news for everyone who uses it."

André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

"The Government of Quebec is pleased to contribute financially to the City of Gatineau's projects, which will generate benefits for both the citizens of Gatineau and all taxpayers through a fair and beneficial agreement for all."

Marc Carrière, MNA for Gatineau

"These are two municipal arteries that have seen an increase in the need for transportation as the population has grown. Work on these two roads is eagerly awaited by local residents and municipal officials. Today's announcement is therefore an important step forward in advancing these projects." 

Maryse Gaudreault, MNA for Gatineau

"With a city that is growing in population year after year, the La Verendrye and Chemin Pink sectors are becoming very busy routes. The investments the federal and provincial governments are making today will improve mobility for citizens of Gatineau, mitigate the nuisances of heavy traffic, and make things safer on the roadside for pedestrians and cyclists."

Maxime Pedneaud?Jobin, Mayor of Gatineau

SOURCE Transport Canada