Planned Dieppe Boulevard extension to cost $42 million

An infrastructure project 20 years in the making is set to begin later this year in New Brunswick.

On Friday, all three levels of government announced $42 million will be spent to extend Dieppe Boulevard.

The busy artery in the centre of the city will be extended by about two kilometres and will see an increase in housing developments.

The land cleared to build the extension could also be used for schools and recreational and commercial projects.

Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre said the original road project began in 2004 and the extension of Dieppe Boulevard will support the city’s rapid population growth.

The 500 acres of development-ready land could generate more than $18 million in annual property taxes.

Dieppe Boulevard is pictured. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

Lapierre said it will be a huge economic boost for the city.

“It’s easily $150 million of construction that’s going to take place over the next probably 12-to-20 years. So it’s going to grow our tax base and it’s going to continue to grow the community and invite people to join the Dieppe experience,” said Lapierre.

The federal government will contribute $21 million, the province almost $14 million, and the city will spend just over $7 million.

The extension will also provide a much-needed second option for accessing key areas in Dieppe.

In a news release, Opportunities NB Minister Greg Turner said the extension will support the population and economic boom in the city and the surrounding area.

“The new infrastructure will service new developments and supports both Dieppe’s housing and transportation needs,” said Turner.

The project will begin later this year and is expected to take around four years. 

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