Ontario Introduces New Connecting Links Program to Support Municipalities, Improve Infrastructure
Province Committing $15 Million Annually to Connect Municipal Roads to Highways
As part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history, the province is committing $15 million annually to a new Connecting Links program, which will help municipalities pay the construction and repair costs for connecting links – municipal roads that connect communities to provincial highways and border crossings.
“This is great news for the North. We listened to municipalities and regions that asked for assistance in maintaining these important connecting highways. People and businesses across northern Ontario will benefit from these highway improvements, and it will help boost local economies.” Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North
There are about 350 kilometres of roads and 70 bridges along connecting links in 77 municipalities across Ontario, and the province will consult with key municipalities to ensure the new program meets their unique needs. The program will be designed to complement the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, which provides small, rural and northern communities with funding to build and repair critical infrastructure.
“The government is creating jobs and increasing connectivity across our province. These highways are essential links in many communities, they carry our loved ones, and they carry our economy. This is further proof of our government’s commitment to making travel and quality of life better for Ontario families.” Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
“Municipalities told us they wanted our government to introduce a new Connecting Links program, and we listened. We are committed to consulting closely with our municipal partners to ensure the program returns stronger than ever, so we can improve infrastructure across the province and sharpen Ontario’s competitive edge.” Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
On April 16, 2015, Ontario moved ahead with its plan to unlock the value of certain public assets. This will provide the province with approximately $4 billion to build new transit and other priority infrastructure projects through Moving Ontario Forward.
Investing more than $130 billion over 10 years in public infrastructure – the largest infrastructure investment in the province’s history – is part of the government’s plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
QUICK FACTS
- The government’s Moving Ontario Forward plan will make $31.5 billion available over the next 10 years for investments in priority infrastructure projects across the province and is expected to support over 20,000 jobs per year, on average, in construction and related industries.
- Under Moving Ontario Forward, around $16 billion is being allocated to transit and transportation projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), and about $15 billion available for investment in roads, bridges, transit and other critical infrastructure in the rest of the province.
- Funding for the new Connecting Link program is expected to begin in Spring 2016.
