Seaforth, Ontario, January 13, 2009 – Residents of Huron East are benefiting from two rehabilitated bridges, the result of a $94,000 investment through the federal Gas Tax Fund.

The Municipality of Huron East used its first allocation of the Gas Tax Fund to help both extend the life and improve the safety of two community bridges. The bridges were officially opened by Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce, on behalf of John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Carol Mitchell, Member of Provincial Parliament for Huron-Bruce, and Huron East Mayor Joe Seili. A project plaque was unveiled prior to Huron East’s January 13th council meeting.

“This Government provided Huron East with the predictable and stable funding that it needed to plan for these safety enhancements to our bridges,” said Mr. Lobb. “We understand the importance of infrastructure investments and how they boost our economy and make our communities stronger.”

One bridge is located on Hensall Road between Tile Road and Front Road, southeast of Seaforth, while the other bridge is on Front Road, just north of Vanastra. Completed at a total cost of $139,000, the improvements include surface repairs, waterproofing, paving and the installation of end-abutments that absorb the impact of traffic collisions. The remainder of the project costs were funded by the municipality.

Huron East Council has earmarked its allocation of the federal Gas Tax Fund for the rehabilitation of bridge infrastructure. “Our asset management plan has determined the replacement value of our 113 bridges and culverts to be over $25 million and the federal Gas Tax Fund assists our municipality with implementing a program of rehabilitation and renewal of these structures,” said Mayor Seili.

“The federal Gas Tax Fund acknowledges 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 is supporting hundreds of important infrastructure projects and is critical to job creation, Ontario's competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”

The Government of Canada recognizes that for municipalities to remain competitive and prosperous, they need stable long-term funding. In Budget 2008, the Government announced that the Gas Tax Fund will be permanent at $2 billion a year beyond 2014. A permanent Gas Tax Fund will provide municipalities with a reliable source of funds that will help them better plan and finance their infrastructure needs.