Funding announced for seven SW Ontario rural projects
The federal and provincial governments have announced further infrastructure spending for rural Ontario municipalities and First Nation communities.
On July 24, the governments announced nearly $12 million in funding for seven road and bridge projects across Southwestern Ontario. The municipalities are contributing more than $1.4 million towards the projects and Walpole Island First Nation is contributing $37,347.
In Morris-Turnberry, the Blind Bridge on Abraham Line will be replaced with a new, two lane structure that will improve the flow of traffic, enhance safety and allow for use by heavier vehicles and equipment. That project is valued at slightly less than $3 million.
The Municipality of Bluewater will reduce service interruptions and increase safety by replacing a bridge on Airport Line with a longer, wider structure. That project is valued at nearly $2.5 million.
Dutton/Dunwich will install a 42-metre culvert and rehabilitate 800 metres of Ash Line to make the road more reliable. That project is valued at $1.2 million.
“This is the type of expensive infrastructure project that our municipality could not afford on its own,” said Dutton/Dunwich Mayor Bob Purcell. “With the federal contribution of $718,641 and provincial contribution of $399,205, our taxpayers end up paying approximately $80,000 which is 7% of the total cost.”
Walpole Island First Nation will replace a culvert on Tecumseh Road to improve drainage and safety at a value of $560,000.
The Township of Southwold will replace the Second Line Bridge, and Brooke-Alvinston will rehabilitate a portion of Shiloh Road by repaving. Those projects are valued at $638,000 and $3 million respectively.
The Municipality of Huron East will improve safety and traffic flow by replacing the bridge on Kinburn Line with a wider structure. The value of that project is $2.5 million.
“The replacement of Bridge Structure T13 at the intersection of Kinburn Line and Front Road is critical to the road infrastructure of Huron East as Front Road is one our heaviest travelled roads in Huron East,” said Mayor Bernie MacLellan.
The Government of Canada is investing over $7.6 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream, while the Government of Ontario is contributing more than $4.3 million.