New access will ease congestion, improve safety at Canada's largest ocean research facility
DARTMOUTH, NS, Dec. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is investing in infrastructure at Canada's largest ocean research centre, the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Investing in this world-class facility supports scientific research and innovation in Canada.
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today the award of a contract for the construction of a secondary access road leading to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography campus, located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
The contract, worth approximately $5.9 million (taxes included), was awarded to Atlantic Road Construction and Paving Ltd., of Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, and will include upgrades to existing access roads.
The new roadway will ease traffic congestion and provide easier access for the institute's employees and visitors. Adding a second access point to the campus will also improve safety in the event of an emergency. The contract is expected to maintain up to 25 local construction jobs and was awarded following a fair, open and transparent process that resulted in the best value for the Government of Canada and Canadians.
Work started in November 2017 and is expected to be completed by August 2018.
Quotes
"This investment in the Bedford Institute of Oceanography reflects our government's commitment to ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of research and innovation. By meeting the infrastructure needs of a growing federal workforce, both in science and in other fields, Public Services and Procurement Canada provides a supportive environment for the important research work being done to safeguard our oceans and natural resources for future generations of Canadians.''
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
"Our government promised Canadians that we would invest heavily in science and infrastructure, and we are making good on that promise. The investment announced today will improve access to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography for all Government of Canada employees and visitors."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Thanks to infrastructure investments such as this one, the Government of Canada is helping federal employees deliver important programs and services to Canadians, while also maintaining good jobs for the local construction industry."
Darren Fisher
Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour
Quick facts
- The Bedford Institute of Oceanography is Canada's largest centre for ocean research.
- A multi-disciplinary campus, the institute is home to over 800 staff from six federal government departments and also serves as one of two major sites for the Canadian Coast Guard in the Atlantic region.
- The project will include the construction of a new 1.2-kilometre roadway with new curb, gutter, sidewalk and drainage and sewer systems. Upgrades will also be carried out to two existing access roads, Baffin Boulevard and Hudson Way.
- In addition to improved safety for the institute, the new roadway will provide a connection to adjacent neighborhoods, better accessibility for pedestrians and opportunities for improved transit services.
- Once the project is completed, the Government of Canada will convey the new and upgraded roads to the Halifax Regional Municipality.
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SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada
Ashley Michnowski, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, 819-997-5421; Media Relations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, 819-420-5501, [email protected]
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