FLOOD MITIGATION MASTER PLAN FUNDING ANNOUNCED
Federal, provincial, and municipal governments invest in flood mitigation for Sussex, New Brunswick
Sussex, New Brunswick, June 24, 2024 — Sussex will see the construction of two flood diversion channels and Route 1 Highway bridge structures after a combined investment of more than $38.3 million from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments. This was announced by MP Wayne Long, Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace, and Mayor Marc Thorne.
This project will help protect areas of the amalgamated Town of Sussex and Village of Sussex Corner from severe flooding. The main diversion channel will extend from Trout Creek to the Kennebecasis River floodplain, crossing Route 1, while the second channel will link Parson Brook to Trout Creek. Two bridge structures will also be constructed on Route 1 where it intersects the proposed main channel. This project will help keep residents and critical infrastructure safe while also preventing costly damages and negative effects for local businesses.
Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for natural disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.
Mayor Thorne and Sussex Council have looked forward to this announcement on the advancement of the Town’s Flood Mitigation Master Plan. Council believes the flooding events experienced is the single most important issue faced by each community and its affected properties.
“With the support of our federal and provincial partners, our community is positioned to finally end the flooding that has created so much harm over the last decade. This funding from Infrastructure Canada and the Regional Development Corporation will help us finalize our environmental assessments and begin the construction phases that have been identified in our master flood mitigation plan. I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone, from all levels of government, who have played a role in helping us achieve success to this point, including mayors and councillors of the former Village of Sussex Corner.” Said Mayor Thorne.
Many stakeholder meetings and public consultation sessions have been undertaken over the past 10 years and today we begin our path to better days with this funding announcement of an estimated $38.3M flood mitigation investment to protect Sussex well into the next century.
Our community has faced many challenges over the past 117 years and have persevered with every challenge faced. Climate change and the destruction our community has faced over the last decade now challenges our very existence. Extreme flooding as a result of climate change has caused millions of dollars in damage over the past decade. Our community has invested the necessary time, planning, and engineering to mitigate our threat and have submitted our planning for consideration under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund funding stream. We look forward to the start of the work necessary to protect our community long term.
In addition to the announcements here today, Sussex has committed its share of $10.34M to complete this important flood mitigation project. Our community needs this investment to sustain the future of our community and to provide relief to many of the residents of Sussex that have become all too familiar of the damage of flooding in our community. Today these announcements by our federal and provincial representatives are welcomed.
For more information please contact:
Scott M. Hatcher, P. Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
Phone: (506) 432-4553
Email: Scott.Hatcher@Sussex.ca
Quick Facts:
- Sussex’s Flood Master Plan information can be viewed at the following link: https://sussex.ca/flood-mitigation-master-plan/
- Construction cash flow estimates can be reviewed at the following link: Cash Flow Needs
- The federal government is investing $15,300,000 in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The provincial government is investing $919,317 for construction of the Meadow Crescent berm and $158,000 to cover half the design and planning costs. Pending the engineering work and approval, the government of New Brunswick will commit up to an additional $12 million for the larger flood mitigation work. Sussex is investing $10,340,000.
- Since 2018, the federal government has committed over $3.8 billion through DMAF.
- To date, over $2.4 billion has been announced more than 94 infrastructure projects that help communities better prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters, prevent infrastructure failures, and help keep Canadians safe.
- This funding will support projects that include new construction of public infrastructure or the modification or reinforcement of existing public infrastructure that help communities withstand natural disasters and climate-related risks.
- Eligible recipients include municipalities, local governments, provinces and territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector. Projects must have a minimum of $1 million in total eligible costs to be considered eligible.
- On November 24, 2022, the federal government released Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy. It commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding to help address both immediate and future climate risks to Canadian communities.
- As part of the Adaptation Action Plan, released alongside the National Adaptation Strategy, the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund received an additional $489.1 million in funding.
- The funding announced today builds on the federal government’s work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying jobs and strengthen local economies.
- Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations.
Flood Mitigation – Concepts: