RED DEER, AB, June 26, 2024 /CNW/ – Infrastructure improvement work will be carried out in 50 communities across theAlberta as part of 48 active transportation and public transit projects in rural areas thanks to a joint investment of more than $60 million from the federal government and beneficiaries.
This announcement was made by the Minister Randy Boissonnault and the mayor of Red Deer, Ken Johnston.
The City of Red Deer will rehabilitate the bridge Road of Canadian Pacific Railway, an important historical landmark that serves as a major active transportation corridor. It is the only river crossing located near downtown and Riverside Meadows. This bridge also benefits the most vulnerable communities by providing them with direct access to social services that are offered on both sides of the bridge.
The Bow Valley region, which includes Banff, Canmore et Lake Louise, will benefit from three new electric and accessible public transit buses, as well as a charging station, which will improve the flow of commuters and visitors in this busy area of the national park. Likewise, in regions such as Cochranethe county of Rocky View et Medicine Hatimproving public transportation vehicles will benefit surrounding communities.
Other rural and Indigenous communities that receive funding will benefit from improved trail networks and pedestrian crossings. Funding will also improve public transit services through new accessible and fuel-efficient vehicles, equipment upgrades and bus stop improvements, as well as routing and studies planning for public transportation in rural areas.
More information on each project can be found in the accompanying backgrounder.
Citations
“While the communities ofAlberta continue to grow, it is essential to have active transportation and rural transit infrastructure that meets their changing needs. Our government’s investment will encourage Albertans to be active and healthy, and contribute to a cleaner environment, which will build more resilient and stronger communities for everyone. »
L’honorable Randy BoissonnaultMinister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honorable Sean FraserMinister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“This investment by the federal government represents much more than just an improvement in infrastructure; it demonstrates a commitment to the well-being and safety of our community. The rehabilitation of the bridge Road of Canadian Pacific rail will not only preserve an important historic landmark, but also improve connections, revitalize our downtown and provide access to essential services for all residents, including the most vulnerable. Together, we ensure that Red Deer become stronger and more inclusive. »
Ken Johnstonmayor of the City of Red Deer
“With funding from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, we can expand our zero-emission vehicle fleet by purchasing additional electric buses. Environmental stewardship is paramount to us and our partner communities, and we take this into account when implementing Roam Transit services in and around Roam National Park. Banff. Adopting cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions demonstrates our commitment to sustainable public transit service. The addition of additional electric buses marks a turning point in our transition and allows us to take another step forward in our journey to reduce emissions and build a greener future. »
Martin BeanPDG, Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission
Quick facts
- The federal government is investing a total of $36,301,698 in these projects through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF), the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RPSTF) and the Public Transportation Infrastructure Stream (VITC) of the Investing in Infrastructure Program Canada (PIIC). A sum of $18,438,784 is invested in 31 projects under the FTA, $15,193,328 is invested in 15 projects under the FSTCR and $2,669,586 is invested in two projects under the VITC. Municipalities and financial partners are allocating a total contribution of $24,892,275 to all projects.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed more than $30 billion to public transit and active transportation projects. These historic investments have enabled the completion of nearly 2,000 projects across the country.
- Funding from the federal government is conditional on meeting its obligations regarding consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental assessment.
Active Transportation Fund:
- Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods through human activity. This includes walking, cycling, and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, e-bikes, inline skates, snowshoeing, cross-country skis, and more.
- In order to support the first National Active Transportation Strategy of Canadathe Active Transportation Fund provides $400 million over five years, starting in 2021, to make active transportation travel easier, safer, more convenient and more enjoyable.
- The National Active Transportation Strategy Canada is the first pan-Canadian strategic approach to promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy aims to make data- and evidence-based investments to expand and build new active transportation networks and promote healthier, more active, more equitable travel. and more durable.
Rural Transit Solutions Fund:
- The FSTCR helps rural and remote Canadians get around their communities more easily. It supports the development of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models that could be replicated or expanded.
- A minimum of 10% of FSTR funding is allocated to projects benefiting indigenous populations and communities.
- The FSTCR Planning and Design Projects stream accepts submissions on an ongoing basis. Under this stream, eligible applicants can receive a grant of up to $50,000 to support community projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their community. Eligible activities under planning and design projects include route and mode assessment, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement, and surveys.
- The Rural Transit Solutions Fund complements the Enhanced Climate Plan Canada : A healthy environment and a healthy economy. As part of this plan, the federal government provided federal funding for public transit to ensure that clean, affordable transportation solutions are available in all communities.
Public transport infrastructure component (Investing in Infrastructure Program Canada)
- This component aims to support the construction, expansion and modernization of urban and rural public transportation networks.
- Including today’s announcement, eighteen infrastructure projects have been announced in Alberta under the Public Transportation Infrastructure component, for a federal contribution totaling more than $1.97 billion and a provincial contribution totaling more than $2.03 billion.
- In 2021, the government announced significant funding for public transit that includes billions of dollars to support zero-emission buses, rural transit solutions, active transportation, and support for major projects to accelerate the development of large urban transit networks that many Canadians rely on every day.
- At an average amount of $3 billion per year, this predictable and flexible funding for public transit will respond to local needs while strengthening integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, more sustainable and more inclusive communities.
- On December 18, 2023, the federal government launched the Framework for the Development of a Green Economy in the Prairies, which highlights the need for a collaborative and regional approach to sustainability, focused on strengthening the coordination of federal and initiatives benefiting from significant investments. The Framework constitutes the first step in a journey that will bring together many stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian Prairies, has dedicated $100 million over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to create a stronger economy, more sustainable and more inclusive for the Prairie provinces and for the Canada.
- Infrastructure Canada supports the Prairie Green Economy Framework to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, secure additional funding and attract new investments to the Prairies to better meet needs.
Related product
Backgrounder: Work to improve active transportation and public transportation infrastructure is underway in communities across theAlberta
Related links
The Active Transportation Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/index-fra.html
National Active Transportation Strategy
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/active-strat-actif-fra.html
Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-fra.html
Invest in Canada : The long-term infrastructure plan of the Canada
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-fra.html
Public transport infrastructure component
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/pti-itc-fra.html
Strengthened climate plan
https://www.canada.ca/fr/services/environnement/meteo/changementsclimatiques/plan-climatique/survol-plan-climatique.html
Federal investments in infrastructure Alberta
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ab-fra.html
Prairie Green Economy Development Act
https://laws.justice.gc.ca/fra/lois/b-9.88/page-1.html
Development of a green economy in the prairies
https://www.canada.ca/fr/developpement-economique-prairies/programmes/economie-verte-prairies.html
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Contacts: For further information (media only), please contact: Micaal Ahmed, Manager, Communications, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, 343-598-3920, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Relations, City of Red Deer, 403-396-9533, [email protected]
