Millions given to West Nova infrastructure upgrades
That infrastructure money Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last Tuesday in Bridgetown is going right to work in West Nova – to the tune of $4.3 million for clean water and wastewater management.
Throw in funds from the province and that figure jumps to $7.8 million through the signing of a bilateral agreement between the two levels of government.
Trudeau and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil joined West Nova MP Colin Fraser during the announcement for 13 infrastructure upgrades in West Nova.
These investments form part of Phase 1 of the government of Canada’s 10-year Investing in Canada plan and will address key infrastructure priorities with a focus on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets, Fraser said last week in a media release.
“These important investments will help ensure that people in many rural communities throughout West Nova have access to safe water, reliable wastewater systems, and modern public transit,” Fraser said. “Not only do these investments help provide basic infrastructure to our residents, they also help build stronger communities, grow our economy and protect our environment.”
Besides water-related projects, Ottawa is investing over $650,000 in public transit within West Nova.
Projects
In Bridgetown, the federal/ provincial agreement means $1,879,902 for wastewater and storm sewer separation on Centennial Drive - $1,253,268 from Ottawa and $626,634 from the province. And drinking water in Bridgetown has not been forgotten with Ottawa kicking in $304,636 and Nova Scotia adding $152,318 for a $456,954 commitment. Plans are to upgrade the system. These two projects are being undertaken by the Municipality of the County of Annapolis.
The county is also planning water main replacements at Cornwallis Park to the tune of $244,071.
Annapolis Royal also gets a share of the cash with a sanitary sewer replacement project. Ottawa is giving the town $129,253 for that work, while the province is adding $64,627.
Further west in the riding, Wedgeport’s wastewater project will receive $429,007 and $214,503 from Ottawa and the province respectively; the Municipality of the District of Clare receives $99,314 and $49,657 for another wastewater project; and the Municipality of the District of Digby will extend its sanitary sewer in Smith’s Cove with $230,150 from Ottawa and $$115,075 from Nova Scotia.
In Yarmouth, Ottawa will fund a sewer separation project on Brown and Cliff streets to the tune of $1,718,188, with the province coming through with $859,094.
Trudeau
“We are committed to investing in infrastructure that will help make our towns and cities better, healthier and safer places in which to live, work and play,” Trudeau said. “The funding will also generate new jobs – helping grow the middle class – and lay solid foundations for the sustainable economy of the future.”
McNeil said that having the three levels of government work together to improve critical clean water and wastewater systems means these projects can be completed sooner for the benefit of citizens.
“This work will make our communities stronger, healthier and more sustainable,” said McNeil. “I am also pleased to see funding for public transit. Public transportation gives Nova Scotians more mobility; it’s good for the environment and the economy.”
The agreement announced last Tuesday will result in more than $238 million being invested in wastewater and public transit projects across the province.