July 21, 2011
Federal Gas Tax Fund Helps Complete the Otonabee River Trail
Federal and municipal representatives were on hand today to open the new trail and unveil a permanent plaque celebrating Peterborough’s eighteen Gas Tax funded community improvement projects. Between 2005 and 2009, the City of Peterborough received over $11.6 million from the Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund. Of this, $1.9 million was invested in the trail, including a walkway over the Otonabee River shoreline and a fully accessible pedestrian bridge over the mouth of Jackson Creek.
“Completion of the Otonabee River Trail is a great example of what the federal Gas Tax Fund offers to communities, such as Peterborough,” said Dean Del Mastro, MP for Peterborough, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “It creates jobs that support the local economy, and more importantly, it leaves a green legacy that benefits families by promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.”
“The completion of the Otonabee River Trail between Millennium Park and Del Crary Park is a wonderful accomplishment that serves to improve our waterfront access, function and presence,” said Mayor Bennett. “We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this wise investment.”
The completion of Phase II marks the end of the two-phase project. Phase I, opened in 2010, included shoreline stabilization and the installation of an accessible pedestrian trail along the edge of the Otonabee River. Phase II included lighting, walkway links to Millennium Park and Del Crary Park and reinforcement of the Wolf Street Wharf. The completed trail offers residents appealing and environmentally-friendly commuting options such as walking, cycling or in-line skating.
“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 thousands of important infrastructure projects and is critical to job creation, Ontario's competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides municipalities with a stable and predictable source of funding for environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions.
The Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund to 2014 resulting in $746 million in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. Between 2010 and 2014, the City of Peterborough will receive over $18.3 million from the Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.
