NORMAN BRADFORD BRIDGE AND OXFORD STREET ROAD CONSTRUCTION BENEFIT FROM FEDERAL GAS TAX

London, Ontario, November 6, 2009 – Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, and London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best today officially declared the Norman Bradford Bridge reopen, following a long summer of construction.

The improved bridge features a resurfaced roadway and structural enhancements including a barrier wall, railing and sidewalk restoration. Pedestrians and motorists will also see aesthetic improvements such as a cut stone finish on the walls of the bridge, aluminum decorative light standards and three new scenic lookouts.

In 2009, the City of London applied $1,950,000 in federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) support for the rehabilitation of the bridge, which spans the Thames River between Talbot Street and Wharncliffe Road. In addition, Oxford Street from Platts Lane to Richmond Street benefited from GTF funding in the amount of $2,125,173 for road resurfacing and $260,079 for sewer replacements. 

“This year, the federal government doubled the gas tax transfer to $21 million so that we could invest in legacy projects like this bridge,” said Ed Holder, London West MP.  “Improved transportation links increase the quality of life for residents and the environment.  The money invested today will benefit Londoners for many years to come.”

“These important infrastructure projects are key to ensuring London’s sustainability for the future,” said Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. “Through this committed federal funding, we are able to seriously address many important road and transportation improvements to help keep our vibrant city growing.”

Bridge rehabilitation, road, watermain and sewer improvements are several examples of the major infrastructure projects in London that have been funded through the federal Gas Tax Fund over the last five years with the City's allocation of over $54 million. Other local projects that have benefited from GTF support include the widening of Wonderland and Western roads, repair and resurfacing of major streets such as King and Horton, Highbury Avenue, Baseline and Wellington roads and the addition of bicycle lanes to King Street. Collectively, these projects have created almost 700 jobs.  

“The Federal Gas Tax Fund demonstrates that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in Ontario,” said Peter Hume, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). “The funding supports hundreds of important infrastructure projects and is critical to job creation, Ontario's competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”

Under the Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is allocating $12 billion to infrastructure projects across the country. This is further complemented by an earlier commitment of $33 billion to infrastructure under the Building Canada Plan which includes extending the Gas Tax Fund to 2014 and then making it permanent at a level of $2 billion per year nationally.

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