The federal, provincial and municipal governments have joined forces to fund five public transit and infrastructure projects in Sudbury to the tune of more than $99 million.

The largest of the projects, valued at more than $34 million, will see the city buy 53 low-floor, 40-foot buses over eight years to replace those vehicles that are reaching the end of their life cycles. A further $11.6 million is being spent on studying the implications of, and installing, new smart-card systems in the buses.

Local contractors stand to benefit significantly from the investments. More than $53 million is being spent on two projects. The first project, valued at $27 million, calls for the design and construction of three major mobility hubs located in the centre, downtown and the south ends of the city. The hubs will serve as the primary transfer points for a restructured transit system which will include rapid bus lines to support increased ridership and service needs.

The second project, which is valued at $26 million, will see the planning, design and construction of bus rapid transit along three corridors to reduce bus travel times, increase transit ridership, and improve operational efficiency. The corridors will include intersection improvements with dedicated turn lanes for buses, passenger waiting areas and shelters, fare vending machines, passenger information signage and lighting.

Together, the projects will improve the capacity and quality of the transit system, while also reducing maintenance costs.

“These investments will allow us as a city to take another important step towards completely transforming our public transit system in Greater Sudbury,” said Mayor Brian Bigger.

“I am excited to see investments in public transit and new technology for the Nickel Belt - Greater Sudbury area,” added Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré. “Investments like these are critical to building healthy, sustainable communities where residents can thrive. This funding will allow for the implementation of new technology upgrades that will significantly improve the experience, capacity and quality of the public transit system to better serve outlying and core Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury communities.”

The Government of Canada is investing over $39.7 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $33.1 million to the projects, while the City of Greater Sudbury is contributing more than $26.4 million.