EDMUNDSTON, N.B — Jean-Claude D’Amours, MP for Madawaska-Restigouche together with New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord, and New Brunswick Transport Minister Paul Robichaud, recently announced the completion of highway improvements made to a section of the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 2) between the Hbert Boulevard and Mont Farlagne interchanges.

The cost of this project was $5.5 million, of which $5 million was shared equally by the federal and provincial governments.

The project involved the construction of ramps to access the Trans-Canada Highway in eastbound and westbound directions at the Victoria Street interchange. The improvements will provide better access from central and western Edmundston to the Trans-Canada Highway.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that infrastructure investments such as this enhance the safety, security and economic viability of our transportation system,” said Mr. D’Amours.

This project is also an excellent example of cooperation between the Government of Canada and the province of New Brunswick.

“The Victoria Street ramps will complement the other existing interchanges for the City of Edmundston while providing safer and more convenient access to businesses and industries located in that area of the city,” Premier Lord said. “These infrastructure improvements will increase the attractiveness of the Edmundston region as a place to invest by demonstrating our commitment to providing residents with an environment that ensures a better quality of life in the long term.”

Funding for this project falls under the Canada/New Brunswick Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program. Under this program, the total contribution for New Brunswick is $29.2 million.

“Upgrading the highway system is crucial for New Brunswick because it facilitates our continued participation in international trade and the global economy, and it encourages and nurtures inter-provincial trade within Canada,” Robichaud said.

Since 1993, the governments of Canada and New Brunswick have together committed $740 million to highway infrastructure and improvement projects in the province.