ORBA Commends Mayor John Tory for Taking Real Actions to Commit to Much Needed Investments for Transportation Infrastructure

TORONTO, Nov. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) is pleased to hear of Mayor John Tory's intention to create dedicated funding to invest in vital transportation infrastructure for the City of Toronto. Bold and decisive leadership is urgently needed to relieve congestion that has negatively affected Torontonians for too long.

"Traffic congestion has become the #1 issue affecting economic growth and social prosperity in Ontario," said Ashley De Souza, Director of Government Relations of ORBA. "Dedicated funding is necessary to repair our crumbling municipal assets and to expand our existing transportation networks." 

Transportation infrastructure is a critical public asset that affects people's everyday lives and business competitiveness, while also playing a key role in long-term economic growth and development. Traffic congestion has become an increasingly troubling issue, particularly in the City of Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe, where it causes upwards of $11 billion a year in lost economic productivity.

The City of Toronto's road, bridge and transit infrastructure is aging and congested, with present funding barely offsetting the erosion of the existing networks due to underinvestment in previous decades. There is a need for expanded road, bridge and transit capacity to address increasing urbanization and resulting traffic congestion.

A predictable long-term investment plan is a crucial component to attaining sustainable infrastructure development. It will enable the City of Toronto to commit to their own long-term capital plans and begin to tackle the City's massive municipal infrastructure deficit as well as get on with building transit now.

"Infrastructure plays a vital role in our economy today and into the future. Immediate action to relieve traffic congestion and improve our transportation infrastructure networks will continue to place Toronto at a competitive advantage," added Mr. De Souza.

The Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA go to www.orba.org

SOURCE Ontario Road Builders Association

Ashley De Souza, Director, Government Relations, ORBA, [email protected]; 905-507-1107 (ext. 223)