ST. JOHN’S — An agreement with more than $430 million of federal dollars was signed recently to better address the infrastructure needs and priorities of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the signing of a Framework Agreement with federal contributions under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s long-term infrastructure plan.

The two governments revealed that improvements to the Trans Labrador Highway and upgrading of the Argentia Access Road will be among the first funding priorities under Building Canada.

The infrastructure Framework Agreement sets the stage for a collaborative investment in the infrastructure needs of Newfoundland and Labrador. Under this Agreement, $131.33 million from the Building Canada Fund will go towards infrastructure initiatives in the province.

Of this amount, $56.33 million will be allocated to smaller-scale projects in communities with populations of less than 100,000. As well, $75 million of the fund will be dedicated to major infrastructure projects, including investments in St. John’s, particularly in priority areas such as the core National Highway System, transit, water and wastewater treatment and green energy.

Under the Framework Agreement, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $25 million annually in base funding, for a total of $175 million through to 2014 for core infrastructure priorities. A further $124.66 million will flow to Newfoundland and Labrador municipalities through the extension of the Gas Tax Fund Agreement from 2010 to 2014.