Federal government allocates
$2.1 billion in infrastructure funds for
trade and transportation corridors
Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The federal government has announced a $2.1 billion
allocation for the Trade and Transportation Corridors
Initiative (TTCI) for what it says will build stronger, more
efficient transportation corridors to international markets.

“As the movement of goods in Canada grows,
disruptions caused by bottlenecks in our trade corridors,
or vulnerabilities associated with our changing climate, for
example – could limit the benefits from this growth in
trade,” minister of transport Marc Garneau said at an
Ottawa Chamber of Commerce lunch in early July.

Leaders in the transportation and shipping industry are
enthusiastic about the program, which will undoubtedly
create infrastructure development opportunities for the
Canadian construction industry.

The initiative is part of the government’s planned $10.1
billion investment into trade and transportation projects
over the next 11 years announced in November 2016, and
included in the 2017 federal budget.

The government says the core element of the TTCI is
the merit based National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to
strengthen Canada’s trade infrastructure, including ports,
14 – Summer 2017 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
waterways, airports, roads, bridges, border crossings, rail
networks and the interconnectivity between them.

“With the launch of this fund, proponents are being
invited to submit an expression of interest for funding to
support projects that address urgent capacity constraints
and keep goods moving efficiently along Canada’s trade
corridors,” the announcement says.

The government says as much as $400 million of the
NTCF will be dedicated to support the critical movement
of people and goods in Canada’s northern territories, given
that region’s unique and urgent needs.

Provincial, territorial and municipal governments,
Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private
sector organizations, federal Crown corporations,
Canadian port authorities, and national airport system
airport authorities are encouraged to submit their
expressions of interest by Sept. 5.

The government says NTCF funding will be allocated to
projects based on their individual merits, which will be
assessed according to how they help to strengthen the
efficiency and resilience of transportation assets that are
critical for Canada’s continued success in global trade and
commerce.