MTA commends province for infrastructure spending

2014-01-30

WINNIPEG, Man. -- The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) is lauding the province’s investment in infrastructure.

The province announced it will spend more than ever before on highways and bridges in 2014.

“Investing in our highways means investing in the trade conduits that connect us to all of North America,” said Terry Shaw, general manager of the MTA. “These projects, and the other significant trade routes this government has committed to upgrading, are essential for us to do our job of connecting Manitoba wholesalers, manufacturers, contractors and farmers to markets across the continent. We welcome the decision to expand investment in road and bridge infrastructure across Manitoba.”

The provincial government has said it will invest in 50 new projects in 2014. They include paving, culvert replacements, grading, bridge work and spot road improvements.

Shaw adds “these small but strategic investments are a staple in a successful infrastructure program.”

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Canadian carriers give feds wish list of top infrastructure projects

OTTAWA, Ont. -- Canadian carriers have banded together to provide the federal government with a list of proposed – and prioritized – infrastructure projects for 2013. The list, submitted by the provincial trucking associations and compiled by Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), includes roads, bridges, border crossings and rest areas carriers consider in need of improvements.

According to the CTA, most of the major projects carriers suggested as part of last year’s wish list make a reappearance this year, with some notable additions. Additions include the establishment of a Mid-Peninsula Corridor in southern Ontario and more rest stop-lane widening additions on Hwy 11 past Thunder Bay; as well as “badly needed” resurfacing and remediation to fix potholes and broken pavement on Hwy 6 to the Regway border crossing in Saskatchewan.

Carriers’ need for improved truck stop networks and additional safe rest areas for truckers to park is prominently featured in the updated list, according to the CTA.

"The 4,500 carriers that make up the CTA are quite aware of the economic climate they operate in and are not oblivious to the fact that federal budgets are constrained for many of these types of projects,” says CTA CEO David Bradley. “However, no one has a better understanding of the state of Canada’s aging infrastructure than the people who use the highways, bridges and border crossings every day.

“The list is simply a guide to assist the government in its strategic framework and wherever in Canada the government does decide to make infrastructure investments, it would be undoubtedly wise to consider the suggestions of those who see first-hand where possible improvements make the most sense and provide Canadians the biggest bang for their buck.”

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B.C. to invest millions in infrastructure upgrades

VICTORIA, B.C. -- The government of British Columbia will be pouring more than $200 million in various capital projects across the province, including the four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway from Kamloops to the Alberta border and the beginning of work to replace the George Massey Tunnel, according to a recent announcement.

“We are taking some very important steps to drive the BC Jobs Plan forward,” B.C. Premier Christy Clark told delegates to the annual meeting of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. “By planning to replace the George Massey Tunnel and maintaining our commitment to complete four-laning of the Trans-Canada, we are supporting the communities that depend on them and growing our economy.”  

“Our goal is to see the entire Trans-Canada Highway four-laned from Kamloops to Alberta,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak. “We’ll be working with our federal government to seek matching funds to improve this corridor, which connects our Pacific Gateway with the rest of Canada. And we’ve heard the concerns from the communities south of the Fraser River about congestion through the Massey tunnel. My ministry will engage these local governments in the initial discussions on what a replacement might look like.”

The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) welcomed the announcement, saying that four-laning the Trans-Canada “will not only benefit trade, it will improve the safety of all drivers travelling that route.”

Louise Yako, BCTA president and CEO, says the province’s position as the Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific depends on an efficient transportation network with capacity for growth.

“Container traffic through the Port of Vancouver is poised to grow, but that growth potential is constrained by Lower Mainland traffic congestion,” Yako said. “The new Port Mann Bridge, Highway 1 expansion and South Fraser Perimeter Road will be a huge help, but clearly the Massey Tunnel is a massive choke point that needs to be addressed within a predictable timeframe.”

The BCTA says the transportation projects will benefit Canada as a whole – therefore the federal government should join the province in ensuring the projects can be delivered in a timely fashion.

“Through federal-provincial cooperation, we’ve seen some critical highway improvements realized in BC over the past decade,” says Yako, pointing to projects such as improvements to Highway 1 through the Kicking Horse Canyon. “Support from all levels of government is necessary to ensure our transportation system keeps pace with the projected growth in Asia-Pacific trade.”

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Irving Oil to build LNG fuelling infrastructure

HALIFAX, N.S. -- Irving Oil is planning to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) available at five of its existing fuelling stations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec.

Bill Howell of Irving Oil made the announcement at the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) Transportation Summit here today.

“Irving has recognized the viability of natural gas for a segment of the trucking population,” Howell said during a panel discussion on natural gas. “We are looking at developing an LNG corridor from Halifax to Montreal, and potentially further into Quebec and Ontario. We see this as a critical cog in making this whole thing work. Many people in the industry talk about the chicken and egg dilemma. We’re willing to go out and begin developing infrastructure so that fleets can use (natural gas). We’ve had some good discussions with our fleet customers and we’re looking at this for our own fleet of trucks as well.”

Irving will install LNG fuelling equipment into its existing truck stops, Howell said. That way, fleets that run both diesel- and natural gas-powered trucks can fuel up at the same locations. The company plans to open the first “one or two” of its LNG fuelling stations towards the end of 2013 with the remaining set to come online in 2014.

Howell said the company will start the corridor with development in Halifax and work its way west.

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Senate Kills Obama's $60 Billion Infrastructure Plan

Senate Republicans killed legislation backed by President Obama to spend $60 billion on building and repairing roads and other infrastructure.

The vote passed 51-49, short of the 60 votes required under Senate rules to debate the measure.

Opposed by 47 Republicans and one Democrat and Independent, the bill would have provided an immediate $50 billion investment in roads, bridges, rail lines, airports and transit systems.

It also called for a $10 billion “infrastructure bank” to use private and public capital for longer-term projects and would have been financed by a 0.7% surcharge on incomes over $1 million.

Separately, Democrats killed a measure offered by Republicans to extend federal highway funding for two years, by a 53-47 vote.

Federal highway spending authority is scheduled to expire in February.

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