Justin Trudeau's investment in Maley Drive extension ends decades of waiting

A more-than-30-yearwait for a major infrastructure project in Sudbury is coming to an end.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $26.7 million in funding yesterday for the Maley Drive extension another project that will be part of a $120 billion infrastructure investment the Liberal government is making across the country.

Theproject will lengthen the existing Maley Drive to create another east-west corridor across the north end of the city.

"This important initiative will reduce traffic congestion, improve commuter safety and get people home on timeand take more trucks off Lasalle," Trudeau said to a crowd of onlookers at city hall.

The feds were the last holdout in the $80 million project, as the city and province already committed their share.

Nickel Belt MP Marc Serre has been advocating for the project, and said Trudeau's announcement signals a bright future for the region.

"Finally, northern Ontario has a partner in Ottawa," Serre said.

Morning North2:24Sudbury mayor Bigger reaction to federal funding for Maley Dr extention

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Sudbury where he announced more than 26 million dollars in funding for the Maley Drive Extention project. The CBC's Olivia Stefanovich got some reaction to the announcement from Sudbury mayor Brian Bigger.

Mayor Brian Bigger said he's thrilled.

"There's such optimism in city hall with the prime minister coming to city hall," he said.

"I was so proud of council in ... making the right decision and keeping Maley Drive as a priority."

Bigger said there is still preliminary work to be done before construction can start, but the project should go ahead next year.

First Nations education

While in Sudbury, Justin Trudeau sat down with CBC Morning North host Markus Schwabe to talk about issues other than Maley Drive.

Trudeau answered a range of questions, including what his government will do for aboriginal communities.

He said the government is investing a lot of money in education for First Nations.

"The proportion of young people in indigenous communities is so high, this is not just about their future, this is about our collective future as a country," he said.

Morning North9:47Prime Minister Trudeau's visit to Sudbury

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Sudbury where he announced some infrastructure money for the Maley Drive Extention. We have an excerpt from that announcement. After the announcement, the Prime Minister made his way to our studios for an interview.

Ring of Fire

Schwabe also asked Trudeau what is happening with federal support for the Ring of Fire.

Development of the planned chromite deposit about 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay is stalled, in part due to a lack of infrastructure.

Trudeau's answers were vague.

"We're still talking with them about how the federal government can best be an active partner in this and that's what we're going to do," he said.

"We're not at the announcement phase yet. We are having discussions with our partners right now."

Watch a video of the interview here.