More P.E.I. roads now qualify for federal infrastructure help

P.E.I.Premier WadeMacLauchlanis patting himself on the back for "successful negotiations with the federal government" to expandeligibility for millions of dollars in federal-provincial infrastructure funding to collector roads on the Island.

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

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

Previously, the New Building Canada Fund required roads to have 10,000 vehicles per day to qualify for federal funding, limiting eligibility tojust Route 2 and the Trans-Canada Highway.

Now, the fundhas reduced eligibility to roads with 1,000 vehicles per day.

"These are the roads to resources that build our economy and allow communities to prosper by moving our goods from the wharf to the marketplace, from the farm to the consumer, and from processing plants and manufacturing facilities to global clients," the premier said in a written release.

Politicians gathered Monday for the announcement in Poole's Corner, P.E.I., with the PEI Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association.

"Putting more Islanders to work is good news. It tooka while but ... it's here and we appreciate it," said Joe Murphy of the PEI Road Builders.

'It tooka while'

P.E.I. has 830 kilometres of collector roads, the release continues, and approximately 500 km of them would meet the threshold of 1,000 vehicles per day.

"The efforts of Prince Edward Island spurred the change for all provinces and territories in Canada," the release stated.

P.E.I. has led Canada for the last two years in export growth and is predicted to do so again in 2016, the premier added, pointing out the importance of modern, high-quality and safe infrastructure to get Island products to market.

"I'm pleased to see we will be able to cooperate with our federal partners to invest in these roads," said P.E.I. Transportation Minister Paula Biggar.