B.C. water treatment plants, bridges and recreational centres receive funding
February 16, 2016
By
CCE
Municipalities and communities across British Columbia are benefiting from the federal Gas Tax Fund, with over $73 million allocated to projects on February 16. The announcement was made by the Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities in Surrey.
In total 57 projects have been selected for funding, through the Strategic Priorities Fund.
The press release gave examples of the benefits: “It means that a deteriorated bridge in Zeballos will be replaced, providing faster routing for emergency vehicles and the two sides of the community will be reconnected. It means that residents in Columbia Shuswap Regional District will soon see an end to a long-standing boil water advisory. It means that residents of Terrace will enjoy their Aquatic Centre for another 40 years. And it means that the Smithers Regional Airport will double its passenger handling capacity and be more efficient for the flying public.”
The list of 57 capital projects includes 12 for water and wastewater, four for local roads and bridges, two for solid waste management, and two for community energy systems.
The biggest sum allocated to a project was $5.8 million for the District of 100 Mile House Water Supply Upgrade. Projects receiving more than $4 million were: the District of Barriere for improvements to its water supply and distribution system; the Cariboo Regional District for pool upgrades at the West Fraser Aquatic Centre; the Regional District of Central Kootenay for the Nelson and District Community Complex pool renewal; the City of Abbotsford for the James Plant Ultraviolet disinfection project, and the City of Kimberley for the Gerry Sorensen Way Reconstruction.
In addition to the capital projects, 30 communities received “capacity building” funding for improving their asset management programs and updating their official community plans. The total amount allocated to these 30 projects is $4.2 million.
The projects were selected in January out of 222 applications to the Strategic Priorities Fund.
Over the year the government will hand out $253 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund to B.C. infrastructure projects.
For the full list of funded projects, click here.
