Funding announced for Western Ontario roads and bridges
The federal and provincial governments have announced more than $20 million in funding for 11 road and bridge construction projects in several Western Ontario communities.
When combined with the nearly $4.4 million being contributed by the municipalities in which the projects are located, the total funding is more than $25 million.
“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,” said Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott. “These shovel-ready projects can help drive local economic development and move people and goods safely and effectively.”
By budget, the largest of the projects is for the reconstruction of approximately 9 kilometres of Country Road 6 East in Bruce County. The scope of work includes road alignment, shoulders, drainage, culverts, ditching, utility relocation, tree removal, and deck repair on two bridges with upgrades to guiderails, curbs, barriers and approaches. The project is valued at $5.1 million.
A second project, valued at $4.1 million, calls for work on roads and culverts in Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. The project will include cleaning and regrading ditches, relocating utilities, and applying measures to prevent erosion.
In Wilmot, 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. That project is worth more than $3.5 million.
“The Township of Wilmot is appreciative of our partners at the federal government for providing funding toward the replacement of Bridge Street Bridge,” said Mayor Les Armstrong. “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.”
Other projects on the list include:
- replacing the one-lane 8th Line Bridge in Erin with a new two-lane bridge,
- upgrading approximately 1.5 kilometres of Glen Lawson Road and Third Line in Halton Hills to include asphalt and grade improvements, enhanced signage, a new guiderail system, and a new westbound cycling lane,
- upgrading Moyer's Bridge and rebuilding part of McLean Road/Concession 7 from County Road 34 to the McLean Road/Concession 7 intersection in Puslinch,
- replacing the one-lane McEwing Bridge over Mill Creek in Saugeen Shores with a two-lane structure and rebuilding the roadway,
- building a roundabout at the intersection of County Roads 3 and 4 in Grey County,
- replacing the existing single-lane structure of Soper’s Bridge in Arran-Elderslie with a new two-lane, concrete girder bridge to improve flow capacity and reduce flooding risk,
- replacing Bridge 0013 on Chepstow Road, east of Side Road 5 in Brockton, and
- replacing the a single-lane, 15-metre Lantz Bridge in West Grey with a wider, two-lane, wooden bridge.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $13.2 million in these 11 projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing over $7.5 million.