New Brunswick and Ottawa to spend $45 million to improve Fundy Trail

The New Brunswick and federal governments will spend more than $45 million to improve connections to the Fundy Trail Parkway.

Premier Brian Gallant says the investment will increase the number of tourists who visit the province, and help create jobs.

“By making these types of investments we’re not only going to stimulate the economy and create jobs in the short term,” Gallant said. “It’s going to help the tourism sector that’s so important to the New Brunswick economy in the long term.”

The Fundy Trail includes a 19 kilometre roadway, a trail system, scenic vistas, beaches and waterfalls overlooking the Bay of Fundy.

The project involves some new road construction and upgrades to Little Salmon River Road, Creek Road and the Shepody Road.

Max Dunfield of the Cape Enrage Interpretive Centre said the project’s completion will cause a boost to the number of visitors.

“We’re running 40-50,000 visitors a summer right at this moment and we’re expecting well over 100,000 once this thing is complete,” Dunfield said.

The provincial share of the project is $32.3 million, with the remaining $13.2 million coming from Ottawa.

“This project has been a major priority for me and the community of Fundy Royal,” Alaina Lockhart, Liberal MP for Fundy Royal, said. “As I tour through the riding and speak with people and businesses, they see this connector road as a major investment that will really boost their viability, sustainability and their opportunity to prosper.”

The project is expected to be completed in 2021.

— With files from Paul Cormier, Global News