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Age of Public Infrastructure: A Provincial Perspective
[Cover Letter]
Summary
Key concepts
Canada: Public infrastructure on a rejuvenating trend for seven years
Majority of investments went to new construction
Public infrastructure assets older in six provinces
Highways and roads on a renewal journey
Nation's bridges and overpasses getting older
Water supply systems younger than ever
Wastewater treatment infrastructure: Oldest relative to its useful life
Sanitary and storm sewers on a continuing ageing trend
Newfoundland and Labrador: Average age of public infrastructure lessened for the second consecutive year in 2007
Highways and roads: Third oldest network in Canada
Bridges and overpasses: Younger than Canadian average
Water supply systems: Ageing, but close to national average age
Wastewater treatment: Discarding older investments reduced average age
Sewer systems: Ageing and older than national average
Prince Edward Island: Second youngest public infrastructure, but on an ageing trend
Highways and roads: Youngest network in Canada with Ontario
Bridges and overpasses: Youngest in the country but ageing
Water supply systems: Getting younger but still fourth oldest
Wastewater treatment: Getting younger since 2005, but still oldest in the country
Sewer systems: Third oldest in the country as investments lag
Nova Scotia: Oldest public infrastructure in Canada
Highways and roads: Higher investments reducing average age
Bridges and overpasses: Second oldest after Quebec and getting older
Water supply systems: Renewed investments lowering age since 2004
Wastewater treatment: One of the youngest three in the country
Sewer systems: steady ageing trend since 1981
New Brunswick: Age of most public infrastructure assets above national average
Highways and roads: Recent investments reduced average age
Bridges and overpasses: Ageing but younger than those in other provinces
Water supply systems: Getting younger but older than in other provinces
Wastewater treatment: Rejuvenation after peaking in 2003
Sewer systems: Relatively newer than during the 1960s
Quebec: Fourth oldest public infrastructure among provinces
Highways and roads: Benefiting from renewal investments
Bridges and overpasses: Oldest among provinces
Water supply systems: Ageing trend since the early 1990s
Wastewater treatment: Steady ageing since 1990
Sewer systems: Following national ageing trend
Ontario: Youngest public infrastructure in the country
Highways and roads: Sustained investments lowering average age
Bridges and overpasses: Benefiting from large investments in recent years
Water supply systems: Strong investments reduce average age to 1960s levels
Wastewater treatment: Recent investments stop ageing trend
Sewer systems: Relatively older than other infrastructures
Manitoba: Second oldest public infrastructure among provinces
Highways and roads: Oldest network despite recent reduction in average age
Bridges and overpasses: Fourth youngest infrastructure in the country
Water supply systems: Rejuvenating trend since 1985
Wastewater treatment: Older infrastructure compared to other provinces
Sewer systems: Steady age reduction since 1993
Saskatchewan: Major reduction in age of most infrastructures, except for sewers
Highways and roads: Among the oldest in the country
Bridges and overpasses: Rejuvenation fuelled by high investments
Water supply systems: Average age at historic low in 2007
Wastewater treatment: Younger than national average for the first time in 38 years
Sewer systems: More or less steady ageing trend
Alberta: Third youngest public infrastructure in the country
Highways and roads: Sharp investment increases since early 2000s
Bridges and overpasses: Ageing trend slowed in 2007
Water supply systems: Younger than ever
Wastewater treatment: Ageing trend reversed in 2005
Sewer systems: Renewed investments since 2003
British Columbia: Except roads, most infrastructure were newer compared to national level
Highways and roads: Below-average investment levels
Bridges and overpasses: Age consistently under national average
Water supply systems: Youngest public infrastructure in the country
Wastewater treatment: Steady ageing trend since 1998
Sewer systems: Slower investments in recent years
Definitions and data sources