Dieppe's, New Brunswick, flood-prone Acadie Avenue to get $13.5M reconstruction

Federal and provincial governments contribute combined $8.9M to help raise road, reduce flood risk

CBC News Posted: Apr 17, 2015 3:11 PM AT Last Updated: Apr 17, 2015 3:11 PM AT

 

Dieppe's flood-prone Acadie Avenue will be reconstructed, thanks to a combined $8.9 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.

 

The project is also expected to improve driver safety, traffic flow and the movement of goods, officials said during an announcement on Friday, just days after the mayor had complained about delays in getting funding approval.

"Investing in infrastructure renewal projects is essential to maintaining an efficient transportation network in our province," Premier Brian Gallant said in a statement.

"It is part of our government's focus on doing our part so businesses and New Brunswickers can create more jobs here," he said.

About 1.1 km of Acadie Avenue, between Alain Gillette Street and Chartersville Road, will be raised to reduce the risk of flooding. Underlying infrastructure will also be improved.
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The project, which has been deemed a top priority by the city, is expected to take eight months to complete, Mayor Yvon Lapierre has said.

The provincial government is contributing $4.5 million, while the federal government is investing $4.4 million.

The City of Dieppe will be responsible for the remaining costs, estimated to be about $4.6 million.

On Monday, Lapierre told CBC's Information Morning Moncton that he had expected funding from the other levels of government to be approved in January.

The delay was putting big pressure on the project's timelines and he was worried the work might not be completed this year, he said.

The largest part of the project will be to remove as much as 8.5 metres of "marsh mud" from the stretch of Acadie Avenue, which crosses the Chartersville Marsh, and replace that with soil and rock to raise the road by a full metre to prevent future flooding, Lapierre said.

More than 24,000 motorists use Acadie Avenue every day.