Eastern Canada gets transportation funding boost

Three provinces in Eastern Canada have received federal and provincial funding for infrastructure projects targeting transportation.

In New Brunswick, the funding will help upgrade the Fredericton International Airport runway—including paving and lighting—as well as extending a runway at the Greater Moncton International Airport to 10,500 feet to allow the airport to handle larger wide-bodied and heavy aircraft.

Funding will also help expand the cruise berth and passenger handling capacity at the Port of Saint John.

All told, the projects will cost $48.4 million, with the federal government investing up to $13.7 million of that amount.

“These projects will provide New Brunswick with an opportunity to enhance our transportation systems and sow the seeds of significant economic growth in the province,” said New Brunswick Premier, David Alward.

In Nova Scotia, Halifax’s Stanfield International Airport’s main runway will see a $28-million investment to extend its main runway to 10,500.

“By making this important transportation hub more attractive to passenger and cargo traffic, we are helping businesses be more competitive internationally,” said Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter.

The total government investment to extend the Halifax Stanfield International Airport’s main runway is $14 million. This new investment will facilitate the growth of air cargo traffic, increasing economic growth potential for Nova Scotia and the region.

The runway extension from 8,800 to 10,500 feet will allow the airport to handle larger wide-bodied and heavy aircraft. This will enhance the airport’s position as a key international air cargo hub.

In Prince Edward Island, The Charlottetown Airport terminal will see an expansion that will allow for more traffic. As well, the Confederation Bridge will get improvements to monitoring of hazardous conditions and traffic management, as well as improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway to realign traffic flow and improve safety. The investments will total $19.7 million.