City of Kimberley receives $4.5M federal Gas Tax Fund contribution for reconstruction of Gerry Sorensen Way

KIMBERLEY, B.C.  –  The City of Kimberley is pleased to announce that it will receive the lesser of $4.5M or 100% of the costs for the Gerry Sorensen Way Reconstruction project under the Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund.

With an estimated 800,000 vehicle trips on Gerry Sorensen Way each year, local residents should benefit from reduced wear and tear on their vehicles.  As a resort municipality, the City of Kimberley is also interested in improving tourists’ perceptions and experiences in our City.  Travel between the downtown core and the Kimberley Alpine Resort, Trickle Creek Golf Course, Kimberley Nordic Centre, 500 condominiums, and 300 townhouses should be greatly improved.

The poor condition of Gerry Sorensen Way is largely due to poor drainage and improper subsurface materials from the original construction.  The annual patching of potholes and cracking has consumed approximately half of the City’s paving budget over the last five years.

The project will go out to tender in March.  The work on Gerry Sorensen Way will begin in May and finish in September 2016.

Quotes:

Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick states “Good roads create a positive impression of the community, and are a visible indication to taxpayers that their tax money is being well spent.  Virtually every visitor that comes to Kimberley drives Gerry Sorensen Way, as does the majority of residents on a regular basis. Our highest profile road needs to be one of our best. We are thrilled to be able to do the work this year.”

Don McCormick, Mayor, City of Kimberley

“Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada is allowing communities in BC, and all across Canada, to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments and how best to spend federal dollars. Community officials are best positioned to identify their specific needs, and the federal Gas Tax fund supports them in making those strategic investments. These 57 projects will contribute to building the strong, inclusive and sustainable communities Canadians desire to live in.”

Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“These funds will help support the construction of infrastructure improvements that will provide a better standard of living for residents in communities all across B.C. I’m pleased to say that local governments throughout the province are receiving more than $69 million in funding for 27 capital projects through the Federal Ga s Tax Fund, which is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and provided by the Government of Canada.”

Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

“Investments through the federal Gas Tax Fund are helping British Columbia’s municipalities address their local infrastructure priorities, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth.  Gas tax funding is important for building and improving critical transportation infrastructure, including the bridge in Zeballos and other municipal facilities. We thank the federal government for its support from this fund, which will make way for a number of worthwhile projects around B.C. to complement our 10-year transportation plan – B.C. on the Move.”

The Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“The federal Gas Tax Fund is helping local governments accelerate their capital investment plans. These investments will support improved levels of service for facilities in communities throughout BC. The 189 local governments that we represent appreciate the ongoing commitment of the Government of Canada to improving local infrastructure. We are also pleased with the valued support provided by the Province of British Columbia to deliver this program.”

Al Richmond, President, Union of BC Municipalities

Associated Links:

To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html.
http://infc.gc.ca/b5a1