The highway system in Canada is an important element in the development of the nation's economy and is key in promoting inter-provincial and international trade. Moreover, the highways are strategically important in that they assist in overcoming the potential disadvantage of spatial dispersion and they link remote communities to the centers of economic activity. Canada's highways are deteriorating and are subject to increasing demand, threatening Canadian productivity and competitiveness. The Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety has released a review of the current condition and investment needs of Canada's National Highway System (NHS). Three reports detail the condition of Canadian highways and the costs, impacts and benefits associated with its improvement. This report concludes that the state of the NHS has not improved since 1988. An investment of $17 billion is required to bring the NHS up to an acceptable standard. Such an investment would generate an estimated $30 billion in economic benefits over 25 years through savings in travel time, increased safety, and reduced vehicle operating costs. (Author/publisher)
Abstract