Canada and Ontario invest in a more sustainable Belleville with improved active transportation and public transit infrastructure

BELLEVILLE, ON, June 29, 2020 /CNW/ - The health and well-being of Canadians are the top priorities of the Governments of Canada and Ontario. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than Canadians' personal health. It is having a profound effect on the economy.

That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done.

Strategic investments in public transit and active transportation infrastructure are important to building sustainable communities. These investments support a healthy environment and help Ontarians get to work, school, and essential services.

Today, Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Mitch Panciuk, Mayor of the City of Belleville announced funding for two projects that will increase the size of Belleville's public transit fleet while making it easier for residents and visitors to use.

The first project involves the expansion of public transit and active transportation infrastructure in Belleville's North East Industrial Park. The construction of three kilometers of new sidewalk and a one kilometre accessible multi-use path will provide commuters with direct access to the city's public transit system. The addition of new bus stops and transit shelters, all fully accessible, will help meet the growing needs of transit users in this busy commercial area.

The second project consists of the purchase of four new buses which will be added to the existing bus fleet. The new buses will lead to increased service levels on the busiest bus routes and also expand transit service to underserved areas of the city.

Together, these investments will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to safely access the public transit system.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.3 million in the North East Industrial Park active transportation and transit shelters project, and contributing over $1.3 million to the purchase of four buses through the Public Transit Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is also contributing over $2.2 million to improve public transit in the community, with nearly $1.1 million towards the North East Industrial Park and more than $1.1 million towards new bus purchases and overall transit expansion. The City of Belleville's contribution is nearly $2 million.

Quotes

"Connecting active transportation networks to modern public transit systems is essential to building healthy, sustainable communities. These investments will improve the accessibility and reliability of the transit system that many Belleville residents rely on each day to access local services and get around the city. We are working with our partners to build better public transit that contributes to liveable communities for generations to come."

Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Public transportation provides a vital link to necessities like education, employment, health care and recreation within our Bay of Quinte communities. Ontario's over $2.2 million investment to improve transit access to Belleville's North East Industrial Park and upgrade its bus fleet will provide strong connections and opportunities for the city's residents and businesses."

The Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure

"We are so very pleased to have federal and provincial support to help us make these positive changes in our public transit infrastructure and active transportation. This investment will benefit residents going to and from work, and also ease employer concerns regarding their employees getting to work safely. Our local economy will be strengthened by these improvements as they support workers and employers alike."

Mayor Mitch Panciuk, City of Belleville

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Across the province, Ontario is investing more than $7.3 billion in public transit infrastructure over 10 years through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Associated links

Government of Canada Resources – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): 
www.canada.ca/coronavirus

Government of Ontario Resources – COVID-19:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/on-eng.html 

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Ontario Builds Project Map: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario

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Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Chantalle Aubertin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-697-3778, [email protected]; Christine Bujold, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, 416-454-1782, [email protected]; Sofia Sousa-Dias, Communications Branch, Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, 437-991-3391, [email protected]; Marilyn Warren, Communications Coordinator, City of Belleville, 613-967-3200, ext. 3263, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca