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QUISPAMSIS - Construction of a municipal water tower and distribution system in Quispamsis marks the completion of the first project in New Brunswick to receive money from the Gas Tax Fund.

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Peter Walsh/Telegraph-Journal

Cutting a ribbon at the new water tower in Quispamsis during a ceremony Friday are, left to right, Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer, Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll and Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre.

"The completion of this new water tower marks an important milestone in the improvement of New Brunswick water infrastructure," said Fundy-Royal MP Rob Moore.

Under the Canada-New Brunswick agreement on the transfer of federal gas tax revenues and the provincial gas tax transfer top-up fund, Quispamsis will receive $2,803,280 by 2010. The Town of Quispamsis also contributed $50,000, for an estimated total project cost of $2,853,280.

Funding has been used to construct a 2.75-million litre elevated composite water storage reservoir on Millennium Drive, and install 1,250 linear metres of water distribution main. The new system will provide fire protection and increase water distribution to commercial, institutional and residential customers in the Market Street, Millennium Drive and Autumn Avenue areas, up to and including Hampton Road.

To receive its first payment under the gas tax fund, the Quispamsis submitted a five-year capital investment plan for review by the province and signed an agreement with the Department of Local Government to implement it. The municipality was the first in New Brunswick to receive a payment under the Gas Tax Fund.

New Brunswick communities will receive a total of $294.6 million in federal funding over nine years.

Moore, on behalf of the federal government, participated in the ceremony along with Social Development Minister Mary Schryer, Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll and Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre.