Hamilton’s City Council has approved a tax-supported capital budget of $484.4 million for 2021, with much of the spending being targeted at the construction of roads, bridges, traffic, sidewalks and transit.

The budget comes at a time when the city is facing what it calls, “the deepest recession since the 1930s.”

The capital budget will focus on strategic investments in priority areas such as the city’s 10-year local transit strategy, as well as affordable housing, the West Harbour Waterfront and the airport employment growth district. The city is committing approximately $114 million in capital investments in support of its climate action goals. It also hopes to draw on financing available through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

The 2021 Capital Financing Plan also maintains planned investment levels for state-of-good-repair financing of infrastructure critical to the delivery of municipal services such as roads, bridges, traffic lights, sidewalks, parks and facilities. The city said it was able to do so by drawing on available one-time funding sources from reserves—rather than further raising taxes.

“We understand that people are hurting,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “That’s why we are holding the line on taxes as much as possible while at the same time maximizing the key capital investments in things like roads, bridges, sidewalks, transit and affordable housing which will create jobs and drive our prosperity forward. We are supporting our economy and enhancing employment opportunities while maintaining our infrastructure to the best degree possible. Now more than ever we need to protect our most vulnerable people.”

The city projects that with the recent announcements of additional capital funding from senior levels of government—including the rapid housing initiative and the COVID-19 ICIP Resilience Infrastructure Stream—the gross capital investment in Hamilton will be even higher than projected.

Here’s how the city intends to spend its capital funds:

• $192.9 million – transit initiatives
• $114.2 million – roads, bridges, traffic, sidewalks
• $39.7 million – corporate, long-term care and recreation facilities
• $30.3 million – housing initiatives
• $20.6 million – parks, forestry and open space
• $13.9 million – planning, economic development, tourism and culture
• $13.7 million – outside boards and agencies
• $13.3 million – fire and paramedic services
• $10.6 million – central fleet vehicle and equipment replacement
• $9.0 million – West Harbour strategic initiatives
• $8.0 million – development charge exemptions
• $7.6 million – information technology
• $6.5 million – waste management initiatives
• $4.1 million – other