OTTAWA, Ont. — The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is encouraged by the inclusion of a $48-million green transportation fund in the new federal budget introduced by the majority-holding Conservatives, but concerned about how the funding will be divvied up.

The Alliance said the money should be used to accelerate the penetration of fuel-saving devices and technologies into the trucking industry. However, the budget was vague on how the funds will be divided among the various transport modes and the types of technologies that will be eligible for funding.

CTA chief David Bradley said the organization’s members are “looking forward to learning how the environmental technology funds will be invested and are hopeful that the lion’s share will go to a program to stimulate investment in currently available and proven fuel economy technologies for existing and new tractors and trailers.”

Bradley said the CTA’s enviroTruck concept should be an integral part of the funding program.

“The pay-back from such a program would be increased GHG reduction compared to what would be achievable through the proposed regulation on its own and the environmental benefits would accrue to Canadians at an accelerated pace,” Bradley contended.

He also said the industry would welcome incentives for “next generation” clean engine technologies and fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel-electric hybrids.

Other transportation-related spending contained in the budget included: $228 million over three years for repairs to the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges in Montreal; $150 million over the next five years for construction of an all-season road between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk; $1 billion to fund up to 50% of a new international crossing at Windsor-Detroit; refurbishment of the Saint John Harbour Bridge; building added capacity at the Ridley Terminals in Prince Rupert, B.C.; and $150 million for interprovincial and international crossings in Eastern Canada.