GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND QUEBEC TO SUPPORT TWINNING OF ROUTE 175

August 22, 2002
Ville de Saguenay, Quebec

 The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, and the Premier of Quebec, the Honourable Bernard Landry, today announced their respective governments’ commitment to the twinning of Route 175, between Quebec City and Saguenay. The project will be carried out on a 50-50 cost-shared basis.

The project will include construction of a second lane along Route 175, between Saguenay and Autoroute 73, the extension of Autoroute 73 and the addition of a second lane in the Stoneham-Tewkesbury sector.

"The Governments of Canada and Quebec have agreed that Route 175 is the immediately identified priority under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The immediate identification of Route 175 will help boost the economy of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region," said Prime Minister Chrétien.

Premier Landry highlighted the significance of the project in terms of the economy and highway safety. "This major project will enhance the economic development potential of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean by improving traffic flow and the free movement of goods. It will also afford drivers greater peace of mind by reducing the risk of accidents," he stated.

Prime Minister Chrétien and Premier Landry have also asked their respective ministers responsible for the Infrastructure Program, Industry Minister and Minister responsible for Infrastructure Allan Rock, with the support of Transport Minister David Collenette, and Quebec’s Deputy Premier and Minister of State for the Economy and Finance Pauline Marois, in collaboration with Transport Minister Serge Ménard, to negotiate agreements on projects for this initiative as quickly as possible.

The twinning project is very important to residents and businesses in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and the Prime Minister and the Premier are pleased to have identified this project as a priority and to have reached agreement on expediting the project’s implementation.

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FACT SHEET ROUTE 175

• The project consists of upgrading a 173-km stretch of Route 175 into a four-lane divided highway from kilometre 54 to kilometre 227. Ending in Ville de Saguenay, Route 175 links the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region to Quebec City. The project will include roadway within the boundaries of the Laurentian Wildlife Reserve, from kilometre 84 to kilometre 218.

• The Route 175 project is a priority for the federal and provincial governments because it offers several advantages:

• the additional lanes will improve safety;
• the new highway will have a shorter driving time, saving costs and enhancing safety;
• it will provide a modern divided highway at a posted speed limit of 100 km/h between Quebec City and Ville de Saguenay; and
• an efficient highway linking Ville de Saguenay with Quebec City will support regional economic development of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

• The overall project construction cost is currently estimated by the province at $525 million.

The Government of Canada will negotiate an agreement with Quebec as quickly as possible under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund for the implementation of this project.