A press release from the MTQ, translated by yours truly.
Canada and Quebec support development of a more efficient road network between Monteregie and USA
Pike River, QC, June 10th, 2019 - Safer and more efficient road networks are essential to economic productivity and quality of life preservation of all quebecers. So the governments of Canada and Quebec invest in road infrastructures on the entire Quebec territory in order to improve traffic conditions for people and goods.
Canadian minister of Infrastructure and collectivities, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Transport minister, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Saint-Jean federal MP, Mr. Jean Rioux, Brome-Mississquoi federal MP, Mr. Denis Paradis, Quebec's minister responsible of Government Administration, president of the Board of Treasure, and minister responsible for Monteregie area, Mr. Christian Dubé, in the name of Transport minister of Quebec, and minister responsible for Estrie area, Mr. François Bonnardel, and Saint-Jean provincial MNA, Mr. Louis Lemieux, announced today the financing, by Canada and Quebec's governments, of the phase III of Autoroute 35 extension. This project goals to ease all road users' moves, as well as improving the safety and quality of life of people along communities crossed by route 133.
Montreal-Boston corridor is actually covered by Interstate-grade highways, except for a 13.4-kilometer (8.3-mile) section of the route 133. The third phase of the project will provide a 8.9-kilometer (5.5-mile) section between route 133 in Saint-Sebastien and the interchange located north of Saint-Armand. This section will bear two carriageways of two lanes each. A fourth, and last, 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) phase will complete the project to the US border. Once completed, the project will provide a direct link between Autoroute 35 and Interstate-89, a key corridor between Quebec and New England, shortening the distance to be done and improving durable economic development.
Government of Canada will contribute for a maximum of 82 millions dollars for the phase III of the project. This financial help comes from New Building Canada Funds - Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects. The global cost of phase III, and investment from government of Quebec as well, will be announced at the end of the planning step included in the Directive sur la gestion des projets majeurs d'infrastructure publique du Québec (Quebec's public infrastructure major projects management instruction).
Quotes
"I'm very happy to be investing in the extension of Autoroute 35, that play a key role in commercial exchanges with New England, supporting a reliable and efficient trade. The new section is a step further beneath the completion of an direct uncut highway link between Montreal and Boston, that will ensure durable mobility for people and goods. So we create the ideal conditions to a long term growth and to build strong and competitive communities for generations to come."
- Canadian minister of Infrastructure and collectivities, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne.
"It's a pleasure to be here today to announce that the phase III of Autoroute 35 extension is going on. The improvement of quality of canadian transport infrastructures, and the efficiency of the Montreal-US commercial corridor will contribute to the competitiveness of our transport network. That will also make the network safer and more efficient for the residents, the travellers and all Canadians."
- Canadian Transport minister, the Honourable Marc Garneau
"I'm pleased to highlite the building of this new highway section that will assure a more direct link between Autoroute 35 and american border. It's great news for families living along route 133, as their quality of living will improve, as well as for our regional economic development. We're ambitious for our regions and we're proud to invest in their long-term prosperity."
- Saint-Jean federal MP, Mr. Jean Rioux
"Autoroute 35 is an important arterial way for commercial and touristic exchanges with USA. Its extension will also be benefic for all Monteregie citizens and will contribute to Quebec's economic development."
- Quebec's minister responsible of Government Administration, president of the Board of Treasure, and minister responsible for Monteregie area, Mr. Christian Dubé
"On the entire Quebec territory, we invest in transport infrastructures in order to improve people and goods mobility. With Autoroute 35 extension, your government contribute specifically in our highway network's improvement of efficiency and security."
- Transport minister of Quebec, and minister responsible for Estrie area, Mr. François Bonnardel
"I'm happy to be a part of this positive announcement for our region. Over improving quality of life of route 133 residents, and surrounding municipalities population, Autoroute 35 extension represents an awesome local and regional development lever and will positively contribute in our communities' growth."
- Saint-Jean provincial MNA, Mr. Louis Lemieux
Quick facts
- Through the Investing in Canada Plan, government of Canada invest over 180 billions of dollars on a 12-year period in mass transit, green and social infrastructures, trade-supporting transport infrastructures, and in canadian rural and nordic communities.
- From this amount, over 10.1 billions of dollars are dedicated to trade and transport projects, including 5 billions of dollars available as of investment through Infrastructure Bank of Canada.
- In 2019 budget, Invest in Middle Class is a plan established by the federal government to create more well-payed jobs, allow more canadians to buy a property, help workers to acquire the training they need to succeed, support elderly people, and throw base of a national drug insurance program.
- As many municipalities across Canada meet important needs in infrastructures, the 2019 budget propose a 2.2-million dollars off-transfer through Federal Fuel Tax Funds in order to answer to municipalities and First Nations collectivities short term priorities.
- The Plan québécois des infrastructures (PQI) (Quebec Infrastructural Plan) predict to invest 115.4 billions of dollars into the 2019-2029 period to maintain and develop public infrastructure, a 15% growth compared to the precedent term.
* Substantial investments are planned for the road network, as over 24.5 billions of dollars.
* For mass transit, 9 billions of dollars are already reserved for the PQI, and 4.3 billions are added from the global envelope for projects that will be priorized among those on study. To those amounts, we must add 1.3 billion for the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) light rail project, taking the whole mass transit investment to 14.6 billions of dollars, the most important amount ever announced.
- Phase III of the Autoroute 35 extension project, with a lenght of 8.9 km (5.5 miles), is located between the A-35/QC-133 interchange, in Saint-Sebastien, and north of Saint-Armand.
- Phases I and II were open to public in 2014, and are connecting Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Saint-Sebastien. To realize them, Government of Canada invest 44 millions of dollars, and Quebec government offered a financing of close to 200 millions of dollars.