From Left - Ron Cannan, Minister Hagen, and Mayor Brass

COMOX - Traffic flow at the Comox Valley Airport will be improved and vehicle emissions reduced thanks to $1,309,316 in federal and provincial funding to construct a new traffic circle. The funding announcement was made today by Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan and Comox Valley MLA Stan Hagen.

"Canada's New Government is getting things done for the people of Comox," said Cannan, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "This joint investment of $1.3 million will improve traffic flow to and from the airport while also providing a safe path for pedestrians. Strong, healthy communities require modern infrastructure, which is why we are delivering on our promise to make our communities vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."

The Town of Comox will use the funding from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) to convert the existing intersection at Knight and Pritchard Roads into a modern roundabout, improving overall safety and efficiency for drivers and pedestrians who use the intersection. It is expected this will reduce vehicle emissions by 20 to 30 per cent by minimizing vehicle wait times and improving traffic flow. The project will also result in the installation of new sanitary sewer mains and storm drains across the intersection. This project is conditionally approved pending the completion of an environmental assessment.

"Our government is committed to providing sustainable infrastructure that benefits our communities and our environment," said Hagen. "We are pleased to partner with the federal government and the Town of Comox to help reduce vehicle emissions and improve traffic flow and safety for everyone travelling to and from the Comox Valley Airport."

Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $51 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. This year, Canada's New Government and the Province of B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.

The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with "green projects" such as drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.