[SteelTown]

Federal Infrastructure MInister Highlights A Need For Speed
Ken Mann
2/27/2009

You can expect to see a surge in construction in Hamilton in the coming months.

That commitment comes from both Mayor Eisenberger and federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird who met to discuss the city's "shovel ready" priorities on Friday afternoon.

Baird acknowledges that there is a "need for speed" in terms of getting shovels in the ground and providing a "shot in the arm" to the local economy.

He hopes to see work begin on the first of the projects that would qualify for federal infrastructure funding within weeks, adding that there are a "wide array" of opportunities.

Mayor Eisenberger says he's pleased to see the way things are moving along and says their list of projects is ready to go once the money arrives. He adds water and sewer, roads, social housing and recreational facilities are all on that list.

Hamilton's share of the federal infrastructure fund has been pegged at upwards of 200 million dollars.