$30M invested in Nipissing transit projects
The federal and provincial governments announced a combined investment of more than $22 million to support 15 transit projects in North Bay and surrounding communities.
When combined with the more than $8.7 million being contributed by local municipalities, the total funding envelope exceeds $31 million.
The program will fund 10 public-transit and five road and bridge projects. Among the public transit projects ate the purchase of bicycle racks, and improvements to specialized transit buses. Further changes will allow North Bay's transit service to shift from a fixed-route schedule to a responsive on-demand scheduling system during evening and Sunday service.
North Bay’s transit terminal will see a host of improvements, including new washrooms, sidewalk repairs, new green spaces and outdoor seating. North Bay also plans to make improvements to a series of bus shelters around town to provide increased safety and accessibility for public transit users.
On the construction side, the City of North Bay plans to spend more than $18 million on two projects. It will spend nearly $9.9 million on the construction of more than four kilometres of new sidewalk along established transit routes. Upgrades will include tactile walking plates, curbs and gutters, and road restoration with new storm sewers.
A further $8.3 million has been earmarked for the construction and expansion of approximately 950 metres of McKeown Avenue from two to four lanes between Gormanville Road and Cartier Street. That work includes reconstruction of pavement, curbs, boulevards, a new sidewalk and pavement of a recreational pathway to improve traffic flow and increase safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
"With this investment in our public transit system we will be able to move ahead with important infrastructure improvements and implement new transportation initiatives that will enhance services and create efficiencies," said North Bay Mayor Al McDonald.
In nearby Chisholm, governments are spending $2.6 million on upgrades to approximately eight kilometres of Alderdale Road. The work includes improvements to road elevation and ditching, replacement of approximately 12 culverts, and resurfacing.
Mattawa will see improvements to 410 metres of Dorion Road, southbound from Highway 17. At a cost of $4.8 million, the work includes road widening, slope reduction, new street lights, improved drainage and the replacement of telephone poles—all with the goal of improving winter driving conditions and providing better drainage.
In Mattawan, $1.8 million is being spent to replace the Murphy Road bridge to make it more accessible for school buses, emergency vehicles and tourists, while $1.4 million is being spent in Powassan to rebuild Maple Hill Road to improve flood resiliency and increase safety.
"These long-awaited improvements to transit infrastructure in North Bay and other communities in Nipissing will improve safety and accessibility for public transit users, cyclists and motorists alike,” said Nipissing MPP and Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli. “Commuters in Northern Ontario often face unique challenges, and the modernization of our public transit system will mean more efficient and faster travel experiences. The success of these new projects is a testament to what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together."
The Government of Canada is investing more than $13.4 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $8.9 million, while the municipalities of North Bay, Chisholm, Mattawa, Mattawan and Powassan are contributing more than $8.7 million for these projects.