P.E.I. infrastructure gets $6M boost from federal, provincial governments

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau was on P.E.I. Monday to announce $3-million in federal funding for 11 P.E.I. infrastructure projects, according to a news release.

The province will also contribute $3 million, and the recipient communities must come up with the remaining funds. 

• Federal budget will benefit P.E.I, says Finance Minister Bill Morneau

• ​P.E.I. infrastructure funding to get $15.9M injection from federal budget

It's part of $15.9 million in new money for P.E.I. over five years announced in the Trudeau government's first federal budget tabled last week.

"Smart investments in communities, like those being announced today, will have a lasting positive impact on quality of life in Prince Edward Island and across the country," Morneau said. 

"By working in partnership with all levels of government, we will continue to make necessary investments that will ensure a strong middle class."

The lion's share of the funding — $899,250 each from the province and federal government — will go to Charlottetown for sewer and water separation. Other projects include sewer replacements in Alberton, Souris and O'Leary, a lagoon upgrade in Cavendish and upgrades to water services in the Rankin subdivision in Stratford.

Summerside is getting a combined federal-provincial contribution of $1.3 million for storm water system upgrades and Tignish Initiatives will carry out a district heating project with a combined contribution of $752,540. 

Kensington will get $467,185 each from the federal and provincial governments for storm drainage system upgrades, which according to Mayor Rowan Caseley has been a problem in Kensington for 20 years.

Water pools where it shouldn't, affecting many homes and wearing away road surfaces, Caseley told CBC News reporter Laura Chapin as officials waited for the announcement to begin Monday. Caseley said he hopes the work starts soon and will be done by July before tourists arrive. 

Transportation West will receive $30,626 to purchase an accessible van for the O'Leary area. 

"I'm pleased as well that this work will result in some immediate building activity in communities from Tignish to Souris," said P.E.I. Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Paula Biggar.

"This work will create jobs and sustain businesses, at the same time as the infrastructure we build creates the environment for future development

The projects will cost more than $9 million total, officials said.