The Ontario government has agreed to take over maintenance and rehabilitation responsibilities for the Thousand Islands Parkway in Eastern Ontario.

The province says the move will free up money for previous managers the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) to provide greater tourism services in the region.

“The Thousand Islands Parkway is a landmark destination that countless families, businesses, and tourists rely on to see the best of eastern Ontario,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “That is why we are stepping up our support for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission so that they can focus more of their resources on restoring trails, campsites, and other amenities, improving the visitor experience for everyone.”

Under an expanded memorandum of understanding, the Ministry of Transportation will cover maintenance and infrastructure costs and conduct a full review of the parkway, providing SLPC with recommendations to improve management of the corridor.

The province is also working with SLPC on an agreement to provide support for managing the Long Sault Parkway, located between Ingleside and Long Sault.

“I am very pleased with the expanded agreement between the Ministry of Transportation and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission,” said Chair Bob Runciman. “This agreement will markedly improve the maintenance and operational oversight of the Thousand Islands Parkway and Long Sault Parkway. The enhanced agreement ensures the safety and efficiency of our road infrastructure while enabling the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to reinvest in our parks and historic attractions, benefiting both residents and visitors to our region.”

Additionally, the province intends to spend $27.5 million to resurface nearly 17 kilometres of Highway 401 between Mallorytown and Brockville. The contract for that portion of the work has been awarded to GIP Paving Inc.

The investment will also include culvert repairs and replacements, new lighting at the County Road 2 ramp terminals, and rehabilitation of the Mallorytown Road underpass to accommodate the future widening of Highway 401.

Construction is taking place in the eastbound lanes from 4.8 kilometres west of Mallorytown Road to 1.3 kilometres east of Stewart Boulevard, and in the westbound lanes from 3.3 kilometres west of Mallorytown to 1.1 kilometres east of Parkdale Avenue.

The eastern corridor of Highway 401 accommodates approximately 120,000 vehicles and 10,000 trucks carrying $380 million in goods each day. Ontario recently finished work on the Highway 49 Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge and awarded a contract to resurface sections of Highway 401 near Kingston.