November 20, 2009
Increased Safety for HWY 99 Commutters Thanks to Canada-British Columbia Partnership

SURREY – Residents of Surrey and White Rock will benefit from $2.5 million in federal and provincial infrastructure funding for the installation of a 20 km median cable barrier along Highway 99, enhancing public safety and creating local jobs.

“In addition to creating more jobs in our community, this project will improve highway safety in our fast growing region,” says South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale MP Russ Hiebert. “Projects like this help us meet the economic challenges of today, while building a brighter future for Canada.”

“This creates a safer driving environment,” says Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordie Hogg.  “Highway 99 is a major connector and as our cities grow, the provincial and federal governments are making sure we have the infrastructure in place.”

“This joint investment is a great boost to our local economy,” says Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux.  “Our governments’ great relationship and commitment to stimulate local economies will create jobs and strengthen our communities.”

The governments of Canada and British Columbia will each invest up to $1.25 million to install a cable barrier along Highway 99, from approximately 80th Street to 24th Avenue.  

This project is one of 27 across the province that will break ground thanks to close to $180 million in joint federal and provincial funding. The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects starting in the 2009 construction season.

The projects are funded under the Province’s three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program, which will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C. To date, over $4.1 billion has already been announced for projects across British Columbia, which will create an estimated 26,000 jobs

For more information on previous local infrastructure announcements, visit MP Hiebert’s website www.russhiebert.ca, MLA Hogg’s website at www.gordonhoggmla.bc.ca, MLA Cadieux’s website at www.stephaniecadieuxmla.bc.ca and follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MLACadieux

-30-