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. The objective of this study is to provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between the state of highway infrastructure, the competitive position of transportation dependent industries, and economic productivity and growth. It describes the NHS, its condition, and the costs and benefits of upgrading. An overview of the impacts of investment on the economy is presented along with highlights from the literature. The role of the NHS in Canadian economic activity is discussed. This report contains three volumes: an executive summary, the main report and an annotated bibliography. This volume contains the main report.
Samenvatting