News Release

SUSSEX (GNB) – The federal and provincial governments announced today that construction is underway on the Fundy Trail Connector infrastructure project, with the first section on schedule to open in 2019. The $45-million project will improve connections to the Fundy Trail Parkway and help attract more tourists to the Fundy region. The provincial government is investing $15 million in the project this fiscal year.

“Your government’s multi-year economic growth plan has identified the tourism sector as a growth opportunity,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “The New Brunswick Tourism Growth Strategy is focused on having tourism create more jobs in New Brunswick.”

Clearing for the construction of a new road began earlier this year and grading will begin as soon as weather allows. Upgrades to Little Salmon River Road, Creek Road and Shepody Road are also part of the project.

“The Government of Canada is proud to invest in the Fundy Trail road network,” said Fundy Royal MP Alaina Lockhart. “Strategic infrastructure projects like this support long-term prosperity for the region by making it easier for visitors to access its unique attractions.”

Lockhart attended for federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi.

The connector road to the Sussex region will open to traffic in late 2019, while the connector road to the Alma region will be upgraded by the end of 2020. The rest of the project, including all road surfacing and other finishing work, will be completed in 2021. The second phase of the Fundy Trail Parkway, a closed-loop road from St. Martins to McCumber Brook kiosk and back to St. Martins, will be opened in mid-2018 as scheduled.

Once completed, the project will form a connection to the eastern end of the Fundy Trail Parkway, linking major tourism attractions through the Alma region including Hopewell Rocks, Cape Enrage, and Fundy National Park, and expanding tourism opportunities through the Bay of Fundy experience. The network will also provide travellers a connection to the Sussex region.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $688.2-million capital budget reflects the government’s priority to invest strategically in its buildings, highways and bridges. Strategic investments in infrastructure are a key component of the multi-year New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the government’s framework for moving the economy forward.

The New Brunswick Tourism Growth Strategy will invest $100 million in tourism over the next eight years, with a goal of growing tourism-related GDP to $2 billion by 2025. Tourism visitor spending is estimated at $1.3 billion, making it the third-largest service sector in the province.