News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The $540-million Route 1 Gateway Project has been selected to receive the Gold Award for Infrastructure at this year's National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships.

The prestigious award will be presented today to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and to the developer, Dexter Construction Company Ltd., at the annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships being held in Toronto.

“We are proud to receive this award in recognition of the leadership and hard work of our department and our private sector partners in developing and bringing this key infrastructure project to completion,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. “It exemplifies the success and effectiveness of public-private-partnerships in New Brunswick. The project was completed on budget and seven months ahead of schedule.”

The project was jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments. Financing for the design and construction was provided by Dexter's parent company, Municipal Enterprises Ltd.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate all the participants involved in this great success,” said federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt. “Public-private partnerships are an innovative approach to infrastructure development that offer an alternative project delivery solution, and an opportunity to fully embrace private sector innovation.”

The Route 1 Gateway opened in October 2012 and is comprised of 240 kilometres of divided, four-lane highway from St. Stephen to River Glade. The highway will promote improved safety and economic growth in the region and enhance multi-modal connections to many of Atlantic Canada's seaports, rail network and international airports.

The project was comprised of two contracts with the province. Dexter Developer General Partnership was responsible for the design/build portion of the work, while Transfield Dexter Gateway Services Ltd. is responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the highway until 2040.

“The Route 1 Gateway Project is a milestone in Dexter Construction's evolution,” said Andrew Inch, the company's corporate affairs representative and facility manager for the project's operation phase. “Dexter competed for and successfully executed one of the largest construction projects in Canada at the time using its own forces - more than 70 per cent of which were local to the area. We did the job safely and delivered it early. It is a testament to the public-private partnership model.”

The federal government contributed $210 million through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, and through the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. Export Development Canada was a key partner for Dexter Construction, providing both financing and bonding solutions.

The Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships is a national non-profit organization which promotes innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government.