News Release

MONCTON (GNB) – The federal, provincial and municipal governments are contributing a combined total of $3.4 million under the Small Communities Fund for a culvert replacement in Moncton.

“We are proud to work with all three levels of government and the private sector to carry out this important infrastructure project in the City of Moncton,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Roger Melanson. “This major construction project will help address long-standing flood issues for residents, while creating jobs to stimulate the local economy.”

Melanson spoke on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny.

“Our 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 Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Robert Goguen. “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.”

Goguen attended the event for federal Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs Denis Lebel.

The Jonathan Creek water system flows through Berry Mills and Moncton before reaching the Petitcodiac River. Flooding has occurred in the area along Route 106 over the past several years, affecting traffic, causing erosion and creating the potential for damage to private property.

Under the project, a major culvert will be replaced with a larger structure and nearby municipal water and sewer lines will be replaced.

The federal, provincial and municipal governments will each contribute a little more than $1.1 million to the project.

“We thank both levels of government for their continued support,” said Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc. “Today's funding announcement will allow us to undertake the first step in the series of mitigative measures required to assist all residents affected by flooding along the Jonathan Creek waterway. In addition, this project fits in perfectly within our long-term strategy of adapting existing infrastructure to accommodate the effects of climate change.”

Under the Small Communities Fund, the provincial government is partnering with the federal government to jointly invest a total of $79 million in infrastructure over the next 10 years. Each project also receives matched funding from the community for a total investment of more than $118 million.

A total of 38 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.