$15M invested in rural projects in southwest and northern communities
The federal and provincial governments announced investments of more than $15 million for five road and bride projects in several rural Ontario communities.
When combined with the funding being provided by the affected municipalities and First Nation community, the funding envelope is more than $19 million.
At $6.4 million, the largest valued of the projects is the reconstruction of one kilometre of King Edward Street in Brant County between Puttown Road and Bishopgate Road. The work includes installing two, single-lane roundabouts and widening the road to accommodate a bike lane and sidewalks or a multi-use trail for pedestrians.
"We are thrilled to learn that the County of Brant is receiving federal and provincial government funding for the reconstruction of a section of King Edward Street,” said Brandt County Mayor David Bailey. “This construction is the first phase of the Bishopsgate Road Interchange Project. This phase will dramatically improve the safety of the intersections at Puttown Road and Bishopsgate Road.”
A further $6.3 million is being spent on the replacement of the Roy Bridge located on the Boundary Road between the Township of Harley and the City of Temiskaming Shores. In Blandford-Blenheim, Bridge 24 on Township Road 12 will be replaced with a new, upgraded concrete structure, which will improve public safety and traffic flow. That project is valued at approximately $4 million.
"The Township of Blandford-Blenheim was thrilled to receive word that funding was approved for the much-needed replacement of bridge 24 over the Nith River,” said township Mayor Mark Peterson. “The current structure is more than 90 years old. Replacing it with a new bridge with no weight or height restrictions will improve response time for emergency service vehicles and will improve transportation routes for businesses in the area."
In the Six Nations of the Grand River community, the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 54 and Chiefswood Road will improve road safety, reliability, and traffic flow. It will also facilitate emergency response, provide better access to a planned housing and business development, as well as reduce operation and maintenance costs. That project is valued at $1.2 million.
A further $1.3 million is being spent to rebuild 6.5-kilometre section of 31st Line between Road 88 and Road 78 in the Township of Zorra. The project will improve the safety and reliability of the road, reduce maintenance costs and extend the life of the asset.
The Government of Canada is investing over $9.7 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $5.5 million, municipalities are providing over $3.8 million, and the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation is contributing $208,556.