P.E.I. capital budget unveiled at $78M

P.E.I.'s capital budget for 2016-17 is a "live-within-our-means" budget, said Finance Minister Allen Roach as he revealed Wednesday it will ring in at just under $78 million.

The capital budget outlines government's spending plans for things like construction and infrastructure projects for 2016-17.

Some of the highlights include: 

• $30 million for transportation.
• $21 million for Health PEI. 
• $15 million to education.

"By investing in our capital infrastructure, we can help ensure that promises made to Islanders are implemented in a timely manner," said Roach. 

Roads, schools, manors and more

The transportation money will go to the further realignment of the Trans Canada Highway and improvements to key intersections, as well as realigning Highway 2 in Mount Mellick, and $5.5 million for bridge replacement. 

Health PEI's $21 million will go toward the new Riverview Manor in Montague, a new long-term care facility in Tyne Valley, and $10 million for a new linear accelerator at the Cancer Treatment Centre, a two-year project Roach said he expects will start next year.

In education spending, Roach said government has allocated more than $9 million for school construction, including the new École la Belle Cloche in Souris and renovations to Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. Government also plans to replace 19 school buses.

Government will spend $150,000 this year and in subsequent years to repair provincially-owned sites "to preserve our museums and heritage sites for future generations," Roach said.

The government is prepared to add more spending when Ottawa releases the details of its infrastructure programs.

In its capital budget last fall, the province laid out a similar amount — $75.5 million — but overspent by $13 million, a deficit Roach blamed on severe winter weather and first-responder radio upgrades.