RED
DEER, AB, June 26, 2024 /CNW/ - Local infrastructure
upgrades are coming to over 50 communities across Alberta through 48 active and rural public
transportation projects after a combined investment of more than
$60 million from the federal
government and recipients.
This was announced by Minister Randy
Boissonnault and the Mayor of Red
Deer, Ken Johnston.
The City of Red Deer will
rehabilitate the Canadian Pacific Railway Bridge, a significant
historical landmark which is used as a main active transportation
corridor. It is the only dedicated river crossing near the greater
downtown and Riverside Meadows. This crossing also benefits more
vulnerable communities by providing direct access to social
supports located on either side of the bridge.
The Bow Valley region of Banff,
Canmore, and Lake Louise will benefit from three new
accessible electric transit buses and a charging station, which
will improve traffic flow for commuters and visitors to this busy
area in the National park. Similarly, in areas such as Cochrane, Rocky View County, and Medicine Hat, the upgrades or enhancements of
transit vehicles will benefit the surrounding communities.
Other rural and Indigenous communities receiving funding will
benefit from improvements to existing pathway systems and crosswalk
infrastructure. Funding will also support better public transit
services with new energy-efficient and accessible vehicles,
upgraded equipment and improvements to bus stops, and rural transit
planning studies and routes.
The details of each project can be found in the accompanying
backgrounder.
Quotes
"As communities in Alberta
continue to grow, it is vital to have active and rural public
transportation infrastructure that meets their evolving needs. Our
government's investment will encourage Albertans to be active and
healthy and contribute to a cleaner environment, creating more
resilient and stronger communities for everyone."
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment,
Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the
Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and
Communities
"This investment from the federal government means more than
just upgrading infrastructure; it signifies a commitment to the
well-being and safety of our community. Rehabilitating the Canadian
Pacific Railway bridge not only preserves a significant historical
landmark but also enhances connectivity, revitalizes our downtown,
and ensures access to essential services for all residents,
including those most vulnerable. Together, we are building a
stronger, more inclusive Red
Deer."
His Worship Ken Johnston, Mayor of the City of Red Deer
"Thanks to the support of the Rural Transit Solutions fund, we
are thrilled to be able to further expand our zero-emission fleet
through the purchase of additional electric buses. Operating Roam
Transit services within and around Banff
National Park, environmental stewardship is paramount to us
and our partner communities. Embracing advanced technologies to
reduce emissions underscores our commitment to sustainable transit.
Adding additional electric buses marks a pivotal moment in our
transition, enhancing our journey to lowering emissions, and moving
us towards a greener future".
Martin Bean, CEO, Bow Valley
Regional Transit Services Commission
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing a total of $36,301,698 through the Active Transportation
Fund (ATF), the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) and the Public
Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in
Canada Infrastructure Program
(ICIP). The ATF is providing $18,438,784 of this investment for 31 projects,
$15,193,328 of this investment is
through RTSF in support of 15 projects, and $2,669,586 is through PTIS for two projects.
Municipalities and associated funding partners are contributing a
total of $24,892,275 to their
respective projects.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed over
$30 billion for public transit and
active transportation projects. These historic investments have
resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
- Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements
related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental
assessment obligations.
Active Transportation Fund:
- Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods
powered by human activity. It includes walking, cycling and the use
of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs,
scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and
more.
- In support of Canada's
National Active Transportation Strategy, the Active Transportation
Fund is providing $400 million over
five years, starting in 2021, to make travel by active
transportation easier, safer, more convenient, and more
enjoyable.
- The National Active Transportation Strategy is the country's
first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting
active transportation and its benefits. The strategy's aim is to
make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and
expanded active transportation networks, while supporting
equitable, healthy, active, and sustainable travel options.
Rural Transit Solutions Fund:
- The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get
around their communities more easily. It supports the development
of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models
that could be replicated or scaled up.
- A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding envelope is allocated to
projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
- RTSF's Planning and Design Projects continuous intake remains
open. Through this stream, eligible applicants can receive a grant
up to $50,000 in support of a
communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit
solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible planning
and design projects are assessment of routes and modes of travel,
feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement and
surveys.
- The RTSF complements Canada's
strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy
Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to
providing federal funding for public transit in support of making
clean and affordable transportation available in every
community.
Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (Investing
in Canada Infrastructure
Program)
- This stream supports the building, expansion, and upgrading of
urban and rural transit networks.
- Including today's announcement, eighteen infrastructure
projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream have been
announced in Alberta, with a total
federal contribution of more than $1.97
billion and a total provincial contribution of more than
$2.03 billion.
- In 2021, the government announced significant public transit
funding that includes billions in support for zero emission buses,
rural transit solution, active transportation, and support for
major projects to accelerate the expansion of large urban transit
systems that many Canadians depend on every day.
- Averaging $3 billion a year, this
predictable and flexible public transit funding will respond to
local needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to
public transit and active transportation, and by supporting the
development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive
communities.
- On December 18, 2023, the federal
government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy,
which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific
approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the
coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant
investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will
bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal
department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian
prairies, has dedicated $100 million
over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas
identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more
sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and
Canada.
- Infrastructure Canada is
supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to
encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities,
leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the
Prairies that better meet their needs.
Related Products
Backgrounder: Active and public transportation infrastructure
upgrades are underway for communities throughout Alberta
Associated Links
Active Transportation Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/index-eng.html
National Active Transportation Strategy
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/active-strat-actif-eng.html
Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Investing in Canada:
Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure
Plan
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Public Transit Infrastructure Stream
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/pti-itc-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ab-eng.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.88/page-1.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy
https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/programs/green-prairie-economy.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada