Infrastructure Works Program funds eight more road improvement projects for B.C. communities

[CAWED]

_INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS PROGRAM FUNDS EIGHT MORE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR
B.C COMMUNITIES _

_VICTORIA, B.C. -- Eight road projects worth more than $1.9 million
will improve access and road safety in the communities of Langford,
the Highlands, Vernon and McBride thanks to funding from the
Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Works Program._

Funding for the projects was announced today by _Fisheries and Oceans
Minister_ and _Victoria MP David Anderson_, on behalf of _Ron J.
Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification
Canada_ and _Minister_ responsible for the implementation of the
infrastructure program in western Canada, and _Malahat-Juan de Fuca
MLA Rick Kasper_.

The projects include improvements to Goldstream Avenue and Jacklin
Road in _Langford_; Finlayson Arm Road, Ross/Durance Road and Munn
Road in the _Highlands_; Bridge Road and Airport Road in _McBride_;
and Bella Vista Road in _Vernon_.

"Improvements to the transportation infrastructure in _British
Columbia_ is crucial to a healthy and diverse economy - an economy
which generates high paying long-term jobs," said Minister Anderson.
"Working together through the _Infrastructure Works Program_ we are
building on British Columbia's strengths and responding to local
needs."

"Infrastructure improvement is an important part of the B.C.
government's three year plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs
for British Columbians," said Kasper. "Including the five new projects
announced for _Langford_ and the _Highlands_ today, the
_Infrastructure Works Program_ has invested more than $17 million in
14 projects in western communities."

"The upgrading and widening of both Goldstream Avenue and Jacklin Road
will go a long way to improving traffic flow in Langford," said
_Langford Mayor Stewart Young_. "That reduction in traffic congestion
will provide improved access to our commercial and industrial core,
and also improve safety for local residents."

Phase 1 of the _Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Works Program_
funded more than 400 projects valued at $675 million and created more
than 9,000 jobs.

A top-up to the program was announced in April 1997 and combines
contributions from the federal and provincial governments and local
partners for a total of more than $150 million. Most of this
additional funding will be spent on transportation infrastructure,
with the balance of the funding allocated to community and
telecommunications projects. To date, $130 million of the top-up
funding has been invested in 190 projects creating more than 1,800
jobs.

The program is coordinated by the _Ministry of Employment and
Investment_ as part of the provincial government's three-year plan to
reduce taxes, cut red tape and invest in education to create jobs and
stimulate the economy.

Federal funding for this program was provided for in the February 1997
budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This
announcement is an example of how the federal government is
prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by
making efficient use of their tax dollars.