News Release

RIVERVIEW (GNB) – Infrastructure investments totaling $7.8 million were announced today in Riverview under the Small Communities Fund and the Gas Tax Fund.

“These infrastructure investments are being made to ensure a safe water supply for the town and to support important road and street improvements,” said Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Bernard LeBlanc. “The municipality and the province are working in partnership with the federal government to support the sustainability of this community and jobs.”

LeBlanc attended the announcement on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny.

“The federal government understands that by building stronger communities and modernizing and developing our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and opportunities and building a better Canada for future generations,” said Rob Moore, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “The Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund supports economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live.”

Moore spoke on behalf of Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Denis Lebel.

Through the Small Communities Fund, the Town of Riverview is receiving close to $740,000 in joint provincial and federal funding to replace the Mill Creek culvert under Pine Glen Road. Work includes removing a corrugated pipe and installing a larger precast concrete span structure. This will address flood risk by minimizing the probability of submerging and causing structural damage to this road.

Under the Small Communities Fund, the provincial government is partnering with the federal government to jointly invest more than $85 million in joint funding for infrastructure over the next 10 years. Each project also receives matched funding from the community.

A total of 39 projects in New Brunswick communities will receive funding for strategic infrastructure projects that contribute to both a cleaner environment and economic growth. This is the first round of investments under the fund.

The Small Communities Fund was announced last year as part of the federal government’s 10-year infrastructure plan for communities with a population of less than 100,000. The fund was created under the New Building Canada Plan 2014-2024.

Eligible categories include highways and major roads, public transit, disaster mitigation, connectivity and broadband, innovation, wastewater, green energy, drinking water, solid waste management, brownfield redevelopment, local and regional airports, short-line rail, short sea shipping and northern infrastructure.

“Today’s funding announcement by the federal and provincial governments will support critical infrastructure projects that are absolutely necessary for the town’s growth and prosperity,” said Riverview Mayor Ann Seamans. “Replacing the culverts at Pine Glen Road will protect our assets against flood risks and mitigate the effects of climate change. With the federal gas tax funding we will be able to complete the reconstruction of Trites Road and continue to improve Riverview’s vitally important transportation network.”

Through the Gas Tax Fund, four projects in Riverview are receiving more than $7 million in federal funding, including:

• Hillsborough Road water main renewal;
• Trites Road reconstruction from Whitepine Avenue to Cherry Court;
• Phase 3 paving of Pine Glen Road; and
• Road and street reconstruction and resurfacing.

The annual $2 billion federal Gas Tax Fund provides predictable, long-term funding to help Canadian municipalities build and revitalize their local infrastructure while creating jobs and long-term prosperity. Projects are chosen locally and prioritized according to the infrastructure needs of each community. These projects not only improve communities, but the resulting jobs contribute to the local economy.