The federal and provincial governments announced a combined investment of more than $83 million into 11 public- and active-transportation projects in Durham.

When combined with the more than $43 million being spent by the municipality, the total project funding rises to more than $126 million.

Largest among the projects is $71.7 million that has been earmarked for the design and construction of bus rapid transit lanes in the towns of Ajax and Whitby, and the City of Oshawa. The project scope calls for work on Kingston Road in Ajax, Dundas Street in Whitby, and downtown Oshawa. New cycling lanes and multi-use paths will connect to the transit stations along the corridors, providing residents with more options for accessing the transit system.

"Transforming our regional transit system gets cars off the road which reduces traffic congestion, promotes active healthy lifestyles, and builds stronger and more connected communities,” said Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull. “This is a leap forward on the path to building sustainable communities which put the environment first."

An additional $12.6 million has been dedicated to the implementation of a 10-kilometre north-south bus rapid transit service through Oshawa that will run along Simcoe Street from Royal Street north to Highway 407. The project will include eight new conventional buses, new bus shelters and traffic signal upgrades that will improve service reliability along the transit corridor. An assessment will also be conducted to evaluate future rapid transit solutions for the Simcoe Street corridor.

A further $5 million has been set aside for the demolition of the existing Durham Region transit operations building, and the construction of a 7,500 square-foot transit operations building that meets accessibility and energy efficiency standards.

Together, these investments will encourage residents to choose public transit by providing them with more frequent, accessible and reliable bus service. 

"The $83 million in joint-funding announced by the federal and provincial governments, in partnership with our own municipal investment of $43.2 million, will be vital to modernizing and improving our Durham Region Transit (DRT) operations,” said John Henry, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Durham. “The hybrid buses that are part of this funding are yet another crucial step towards DRT’s commitment to zero-emission transit vehicles over the next decade. Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program together with the Federal Gas Tax Fund in 2019 we are taking the first step in transitioning our fleet through the acquisition of our first hybrid electric and battery powered electric buses and charging infrastructure. It’s major investments and partnerships such as these that are crucial to ensuring Durham Region can continue to deliver the excellent public service that we are known for."

The Government of Canada is investing more than $45.3 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $37.7 million, and the municipality is contributing more than $43.2 million.