FREDERICTON, N.B. — A $414 million highway construction project for New Brunswicks National Highway System will get underway this year, according to an announcement by New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

As part of the cost-shared agreement, Graham and Harper have each committed to investing $207 million in construction projects over a 10-year period.

Over the next five years, there will be three projects along Route 1, at the One Mile House interchange, as well as twinning from Pennfield to Lepreau and Waweig River to Murray Road. The work on Route 7 will involve the construction of a bypass at Welsford. Along Route 8, there will be construction at the Nashwaak/Marysville Bypass and on Route 11 there will be a bypass built between Tracadie-Sheila and Six Roads.

Work will begin this year on the Route 1 twinning project, the Nashwaak/Marysville Bypass and the Tracadie-Sheila to Six Roads Bypass. Work on the One Mile House interchange is scheduled to start in 2008 and work on the Welsford Bypass is scheduled for 2009.

“As we move toward self-sufficiency, we must accelerate investment in our transportation infrastructure so that it can drive economic development,” Graham said. “All of these improvements to New Brunswick’s National Highway System will facilitate the movement of goods and people and stimulate economic growth.”

“Today’s announcement with Premier Graham is a testament to what can be achieved when Ottawa and the provinces embrace the truce spirit of open federalism and work together to make Canada stronger, safer and better,” Harper said.