The Quebec government will spend $1.7 billion on the provincial road network in the coming fiscal year. This amount represents an increase of some $400 million for roadworks over the current fiscal budget which ends April 1.

Approximately 70 per cent of the 2007-08 road budget funds will go to repair aging infrastructure with $550 million being spent on new road construction. Bridges and viaducts will receive a total of $440 million, a 75 per cent increase.

According to Quebec transport minister Michel Després, $87 million will be invested in Highway 25, $80 million for Highway 30 and $36 million for Highway 15. All of these highways are located in the Montreal region.

Després says government road and bridge improvement expenditures are expected to total $7.9 billion over the next four years.