L-R: Tany Yao, Minister McIver, Elder Hazel Derange, Laila Goodridge, Councillor Jane Stroud, and Don Scott attend a ribbon-cutting held for the new, heated transit storage centre in Fort McMurray.
Minister of Transportation Ric McIver joined Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Mayor Don Scott and other officials to cut the ribbon on two bus bay turnouts and heated transit shelters in each of the Thickwood and Timberlea neighbourhoods. These facilities are making life better for transit users as their trips become easier and safer.
“We’re committed to ensuring Albertans have viable options to get to and from work, school, and wherever they need to go. These transit improvements will provide safer, more efficient, and ultimately more comfortable transportation networks in Fort McMurray while supporting about 150 jobs in the process.”
“Public transit helps Canadians get around in ways that are cleaner and more affordable. The new bus shelters and passenger loading bays in Fort McMurray will make catching the bus safer and easier, and will help traffic flow more smoothly. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities.”
“We are grateful to the federal and provincial governments for these important investments in local transit infrastructure. These facilities enhance transit service and quality of life in our community by providing improved transfer efficiency, safety and a better experience for transit users.”
“I wish to thank Alberta’s government for continuing to invest in our region. This transit infrastructure, along with the road resurfacing and street lamp repairs, have gone a long way to remediating our transportation issues.”
“It’s wonderful to see Alberta’s government investing in important projects that will improve the quality of life and safety of people in Fort McMurray. This is especially important for students in our high schools who take the bus to school. The new storage centre will also lead to lower costs and substantially lower emissions by reducing idling.”
A ribbon-cutting was also held for the new, heated transit storage centre located near Fort McMurray International Airport, which provides a modern, efficient and secure indoor facility to store transit buses.
Provincial funding for the Bus Bay Turnout and Transit Shelter Project and the transit centre was provided through the Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP). Federal funding for the Bus Bay Turnout and Transit Shelter Project was provided through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).
Quick facts
- The Bus Bay Turnout and Transit Shelter Project includes two bus bay turnouts and heated shelters connected by new concrete sidewalks along Thickwood Boulevard and Confederation Way.
- Construction on the Bus Bay Turnout and Transit Shelters began in 2017.
- Total funding for the Bus Bay Turnout and Transit Shelter Project was $10 million and supported about 52 jobs.
- Provincial contribution: $6.5 million (GreenTRIP)
- Federal contribution: $3.5 million (PTIF)
- Funding for the transit centre totalled $25.5 million and supported up to 100 jobs.
- Provincial contribution: $17 million (GreenTRIP)
- Municipal contribution: $8.5 million
- Construction on the transit centre began in the summer of 2018.
- Both projects opened in December 2019.