WILMOT, ON, July 8, 2020 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected smaller communities across the province. While moving towards recovery, investments in infrastructure in rural and northern Ontario are vital to successful, sustainable communities and their economies.
Today, Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Les Armstrong, Mayor of the Township of Wilmot, announced funding for the improvement of road and bridge infrastructure in Western Ontario.
Several communities in Western Ontario will benefit from 11 road and bridge projects which will increase road safety and reliability, improve the flow of traffic, and help prevent future flooding in rural communities. Investing in these projects will not only increase safety for drivers, but also for cyclists and pedestrians.
In Wilmot, for example, a one-lane bridge will be replaced with a two-lane concrete bridge which will remove height and weight restrictions, reduce risk of flooding, and increase traffic circulation. The project will include building a new foundation, abutments, and superstructure with a reinforced concrete deck and barrier walls; reconstructing roadway approaches; and applying erosion and sediment control measures.
Of the 11 projects, one project in Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, will replace several culverts, preventing road washouts and increasing the service life of the connected roadway. This project will include cleaning and regrading ditches, relocating utilities, and applying measures to prevent erosion.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $13.2 million in these 11 projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing over $7.5 million; while municipalities and a First Nation community are contributing over $4.3 million.
Quotes
"Investments in roads and bridges improve safety and reliability for residents. We are proud to support these rural projects that will create jobs and ensure Canadian communities remain among the best places to live, work, and raise a family."
Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
"By investing in projects like these, we are helping to create jobs and improve the lives of residents in these rural and First Nations communities. These "shovel ready" projects can help drive local economic development and move people and goods safely and effectively."
The Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure
"The Township of Wilmot is appreciative of our partners at the federal government for providing funding toward the replacement of Bridge Street Bridge. This investment is critical to ensuring the longevity of this structure, as a thoroughfare for east-west travel, ensuring safe and efficient movement of large farming equipment, in addition to general traffic flow. I want to express thanks to MP Louis for his team's support with this initiative. We continue to look for opportunities to share in key infrastructure initiatives to drive our local, provincial and national economy forward, as we work together to safely re-open our economy."
His Worship Les Armstrong, Mayor of the Township of Wilmot
"Bridge 13 plays an important role in accessing the villages of Chepstow and Cargill, the subdivisions and buildings within each community, as well as the Fritzall Construction Services expansion. In addition, Concession 8 in Greenock has higher traffic volumes as a route to Bruce Power. Replacing the bridge will address health and safety and drainage concerns, and allow for the construction of a sidewalk to assist with resident safety. This is an exciting project for the village of Chepstow and community of Brockton."
His Worship Chris Peabody, Mayor of Brockton
“West Grey is committed to investing in our infrastructure and fostering partnerships for the betterment of our community. Thank you to the federal and provincial governments for greenlighting this important project in West Grey. The Lantz Bridge reconstruction signals West Grey’s commitment to addressing our infrastructure needs, while showing that partnerships with all orders of government are essential in building vibrant and safe communities.”
Her Worship Christine Robinson, Mayor of West Grey
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.
- $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
- Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community infrastructure.
- The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
- Central to Canada's Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $2.5 billion in infrastructure under the Investing in Canada Plan.
- On June 3, 2020, Ontario announced it was investing $150 million to launch the Improving Connectivity in Ontario program to fund broadband infrastructure projects in rural, remote and underserved regions of Ontario. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.
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Backgrounder
Canada and Ontario invest in roads and bridges in rural communities in Western Ontario
Joint federal, provincial, municipal, and First Nation funding through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan will support 11 road and bridge projects in Western Ontario. These investments will strengthen rural and First Nations communities and support economic growth.
The Government of Canada is investing over $13.2 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS), the Government of Ontario is contributing over $7.5 million, while municipalities and a First Nation community are contributing over $4.3 million.
Project Information:
Location |
Project Name |
Project Details |
Federal Funding |
Provincial Funding |
Municipal |
Arran-Elderslie |
Soper's Bridge Replacement |
Replacement of the existing single-lane structure with a new two-lane, concrete girder bridge (including widening road approaches) to reduce flooding risk. |
$401,500 |
$267,640 |
$133,860 |
Brockton |
Bridge 0013 Replacement |
Replacement of Bridge 0013 on Chepstow Road, east of Side Road 5 (including decommissioning and removing the existing bridge, construction of a new bridge and sidewalks, installing new guardrails, and rehabilitating roadway and approaches). This will improve flow of traffic and facilitate safe and reliable movement of people and goods. |
$802,125 |
$534,697 |
$267,428 |
Bruce County |
Road 6 East A Reconstruction |
Upgrade of approximately 9.1 km of Country Road 6 East A; including alignment, shoulders, drainage, culverts, ditching, utility relocation, tree removal, and deck repair of two bridges with upgrading of guiderails, curbs, barriers, and approaches. This will provide a safer drive for County residents. |
$2,377,050 |
$1,584,542 |
$1,177,508 |
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation |
Roads and Culverts Reconstruction |
Replacement of culverts and reconstruction of roadways (including cleaning and regrading ditches, relocating utilities, and applying measures to prevent erosion). This will improve road safety and reliability as well as prevent future flooding and road washouts. |
$3,143,700 |
$768,320 |
$279,580 |
Erin |
8th Line Bridge Replacement |
Replacement of the single-lane 8th Line Bridge with a new two-lane bridge (including guiderails). Better and safer travel for motorists and pedestrians. |
$550,000 |
$366,630 |
$183,370 |
Halton Hills |
Improvements to Glen Lawson Road and Third Line |
Upgrades to approximately 1.5 km of Glen Lawson Road and Third Line (Churchill Road South); including asphalt and grade improvements, enhanced signage, upgrading of guiderail system, and addition of a westbound cycling lane. Better and safer roads for bikers and commuters. |
$937,500 |
$624,938 |
$312,563 |
Puslinch |
Moyer's Bridge Upgrade and McLean Road Reconstruction |
Upgrades to Moyer's Bridge (including barrier installation, approach guiderail, and possible structure replacement) and reconstruction of part of McLean Road/Concession 7 (from County Road 34 to the McLean Road/Concession 7 intersection). Safer roads for commuters. |
$519,375 |
$346,215 |
$173,160 |
Saugeen Shores |
McEwing Bridge Replacement |
Replacement of a one-lane McEwing Bridge over Mill Creek with a two-lane, structure and reconstruction of roadway; including reconstruction of approaches in both directions with wider lanes and shoulders, and added retaining walls. Improved traffic circulation and safer commutes for residents. |
$1,188,764 |
$792,430 |
$460,929 |
Grey County |
Grey County Roads 3 and 4 Roundabout |
Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Grey County Roads 3 and 4 (including roundabout approaches, bike lanes, accessible pedestrian crossings, directional signage, and lighting). This will improve traffic flow, and safety for bikers and pedestrians. |
$910,000 |
$606,606 |
$423,394 |
West Grey |
Lantz Bridge Replacement |
Replacement of a single-lane, 15-m bridge with a wider, two-lane, wooden bridge (including removal of the existing structure, excavating and constructing a new bridge foundation, installing wooden girders and deck, and widening 40 m of the bridge approach). This will improve traffic circulation and safety and reliability of bridge the bridge for drivers. |
$698,500 |
$465,620 |
$397,980 |
Wilmot |
Replacement of Structure 34/B-T9 over the Nith River |
Replacement of a one-lane bridge with a new, two-lane concrete structure (including building a new foundation, abutments, and superstructure with a reinforced concrete deck and barrier walls; reconstructing roadway approaches; and applying erosion and sediment control measures). This will improve flow of traffic, safety, and reliability. |
$1,768,750 |
$1,179,049 |
$589,701 |
*The federal and provincial governments are each contributing the maximum share of eligible costs for these projects, which are 40% and 33.33% respectively as per the requirements of the Canada-Ontario Integrated Bilateral Agreement. Contributions from recipients may include both eligible and ineligible costs. Ineligible costs are expenditures that municipalities have chosen not to request reimbursement for or that cannot be reimbursed (e.g., property purchases, overhead costs). Cost sharing may differ depending on recipient.
Associated links
Government of Canada Resources - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19):
www.canada.ca/coronavirus
Ontario COVID-19 Resources:
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
Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural/strat-eng.html
Connecting Ontario: improving broadband and cellular access:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-ontario-improving-broadband-and-cellular-access
Ontario Builds Project Map: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario
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Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Marie-Pier Baril, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, 613-295-8123, [email protected]; Christine Bujold, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, 416-454-1782, [email protected]; Sofia Sousa-Dias, Communications Branch, Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, 437-991-3391, [email protected]; Kelly Baird, Communications Specialist, Township of Wilmot, 519-634-8519 ext. 229, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]
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