Castlegar, Slocan and Nelson awarded multi-million-dollar grants for infrastructure projects
By Castlegar Source
Castlegar’s Columbia Avenue Complete Streets program got a major boost over the weekend, when two higher levels of government announced more than $3 million in grant funding toward the project.
The federal and provincial governments have committed $1, 607,421 each to the project, with the City of Castlegar paying the remaining $1,607,422.
The money is coming from the Build Canada Small Communities Fund, and will be used for the rehabilitation of Columbia Avenue from 17 Street to 11 Street.
“We are very excited to undertake such a large replacement of core infrastructure,” said Mayor Lawrence Chernoff. “This grant … will provide two-thirds funding for a much-needed upgrade to Columbia Avenue and its underground infrastructure. The funding … is a huge benefit to Castlegar tax payers and demonstrates strong support for the direction of Castlegar’s infrastructure renewal program.”
The total cost of the project is estimated at $4.8 million, with construction to be completed in 2018. A public information meeting will be held in April for the public to review the scope of the project.
Meanwhile, Slocan will be receiving more than $2.4 million from the same fund, for their Springer Creek Micro Hydro Project, while Nelson will be getting more than $4.4 million toward Phase 11 of their Hall Street Corridor, which is expected to cost more than $6,660,000.
The governments of Canada and British Columbia are each providing up to $43,522,512 towards 26 new projects that will benefit 26 small communities throughout the province.
