Upgrades to the city’s Marwell lift station, storm sewers on Burns Road and the management of storm water in Hidden Valley will go ahead thanks to funding from the federal government.

The money coming out of the city’s portion of federal gasoline tax revenue was announced early Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at city hall.

A total of $2.4 million will go to the work planned for the Marwell lift station.

Another $330,000 will go to putting in a new outfall pipe and trench for the Hidden Valley storm pond that will direct storm water away from area homes toward the Yukon River.

Finally, $100,000 will be put to the Burns Road storm sewers upgrade.

“The federal gas tax fund offers communities in Yukon the flexibility to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments,” said Yukon MP Larry Bagnell.

He was speaking on behalf of Amarjeet Sohi, the federal minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

“We are proud to support these projects that will help ensure wastewater systems across the city are prepared to meet the needs of the communities they serve.”

Bagnell highlighted the federal Liberals’ budget commitment to provide more than $180 billion over 12 years to public transit, green and social infrastructure, and transportation.

In 2017, a total of $2 billion will be spent across the country on a range of infrastructure funding.

A number of other infrastructure projects have also been announced in other communities across the Yukon, including Mayo, Dawson City, Carmacks, he said.

“Whitehorse is not getting all the money,” Bagnell said with a smile.

He emphasized the work throughout the territory and the importance of safe drinking water for all.

Mayor Dan Curtis noted the funding for the city is extremely important as it ensures the city maintains its water and wastewater without having to dip into reserves.

He pointed out that the current tax base in the city only covers about half of the city’s operating costs.

While funding from the gas tax goes to capital projects, Curtis noted that without this kind of work being done, it would be difficult to operate.

“I’ve said I wouldn’t want to be mayor without the gas tax,” he said.

He went on to praise Bagnell for his persistence in ensuring federal funds flow northward.

While the contract for the first phase of the Marwell lift station project has been awarded to Ketza Construction, city officials said the contract for the second phase will be released soon.

A request for bids has already gone out on the Burns Road work, with the quotes coming in higher than the anticipated $80,000. Thus, the funding for the project is now at $100,000.

The contract award has yet to come forward to council.

Meanwhile, a tender for the work in Hidden Valley will be released at a later date.

The city is aiming to have the projects completed before the end of the year.

Some work in Hidden Valley, however, may be pushed into 2018, said Taylor Eshpeter, the city’s acting director of development services.