GATINEAU, Que. — The Boulevard des Allumettires has been officially opened in Gatineau.

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Benot Pelletier, Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and MNA for Chapleau; Roch Cholette, MNA for Hull; Charlotte L’cuyer, MNA for Pontiac, and Marc Bureau, Mayor of Gatineau, were present to mark the opening, which is good news for the population of the Outaouais region.

“This new road will be a key asset for the economy of the Outaouais region,” said Julie Boulet, Minister of Transport of Quebec. “It was designed with respect for Gatineau Park, the environmental jewel through which it passes. It will reduce congestion on nearby roads, as well as greenhouse gases. I am pleased to be taking part in the opening of this important road, which honours courageous women, the match factory workers who played an important role in the region’s history.”

“I am very pleased to be inaugurating this road today together with my colleagues and my federal counterpart. The Boulevard des Allumettires will greatly facilitate travel from Pontiac to the eastern part of the City of Gatineau,” said L’cuyer. “Starting today, people in Pontiac will be served by the quality road system they expect, one that will be more efficient than ever.”

The governments of Canada and Quebec have invested $96 million in the project. The funding was shared equally by the two governments under the agreement to improve the road system in the Quebec portion of the National Capital Region (the Outaouais Roads Agreement).

Representatives of both governments said that the population of the Outaouais region can be proud of this urban boulevard because of both its modern design and its historical symbolism.