The Ontario government has announced it will fund the rehabilitation of more than 18 kilometres of County Road 49 between Picton and the Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge in Prince Edward County.

The project will include repaving the road surface, new culverts and guiderail improvements, supporting the safe movement of people and goods and keeping thousands of workers on the job.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by making historic investments in highway infrastructure to improve road safety and strengthen our economy,” said Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Rehabilitating County Road 49 will improve a key gateway into Prince Edward County, support good-paying jobs during construction and make it easier for visitors to access one of Ontario’s top tourism destinations.”

Last year, County Road 49 was ranked the third-worst road in Ontario in a survey by the Canadian Automobile Association. Repairs to the road will support tourism and the local economy, as it serves as an important link to the region’s wineries, restaurants, theatres and other tourist destinations.

The Municipality of Prince Edward County is contributing $7.8 million from their capital budget to help rehabilitate County Road 49.

Provincial funding for the project is part of the government’s overall plan to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges. That plan includes multi-million-dollar investments in Prince Edward County and construction of a roundabout at Highway 62 and County Road 1.

In 2024, Ontario completed major upgrades to the Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge, which connects Highway 401 to Prince Edward County. Last year, the province also provided $2 million in funding to Prince Edward County to rebuild Main Street from County Road 33 to County Road 30.