The University of Ottawa plans to build a new tower at Vanier Hall (pictured here) with the infrastructure funding the federal and Ontario governments announced Monday. (Courtesy of the University of Ottawa)

The federal and Ontario governments have announced that three post-secondary schools in Ottawa are among those that will share $1.5 billion in infrastructure funding over the next two years.

The University of Ottawa, Carleton University and La Cité Collégiale will be given close to $160 million toward funding their infrastructure plans.

Of that money, $80 million will go to the University of Ottawa to renovate and add a tower to Vanier Hall.

The renovation will create a space for neuroscience laboratories, therapy rooms, computer laboratories and animal-care facilities.

Carleton will get $52.5 million to create a new building for its faculty of public affairs, along with lecture theatres and a conference centre.

And La Cité Collégiale will get $26 million to create a new 911 Institute that will house security and emergency services programs.

Allan Rock, president of the University of Ottawa, said Ottawa's colleges should make quick use of the new space.

"We've gone from 22,000 to 36,000 students in the last seven or eight years," he said.

"It's been a huge growth, but our infrastructure, our classroom space, our lab space haven't kept pace. So, we've got a lot of catching-up to do."

Jim Watson, the MPP for Ottawa-West Nepean, said Ottawa's post-secondary schools are relieved to finally be able to get their infrastructure projects going.

"These projects have been on the books for a while, but the money just hasn't been there to fund them," said Watson.

"When La Cité and Carleton and Ottawa U actually came forward and found out there was going to be infrastructure money for post-secondary [schools], they were ready to hit the ground."

Watson said Monday's announcement should also create jobs and help give Ottawa's economy a boost.