Canada and Ontario invest in bridges and a road for rural communities in Southern Ontario

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

Amherstburg, Ontario-The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted smaller and rural communities across the province. Both governments are making strategic investments in infrastructure to meet the specific needs of rural and northern Ontario municipalities and help them strengthen their local economies.

Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; Bob Bailey, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and his Worship Aldo DiCarlo, Mayor of the Town of Amherstburg, announced funding for two bridges and one road project in Southern Ontario.

In the Town of Amherstburg, Bridge 3012 over the River Canard will be replaced and the roadways leading to the bridge entrance rebuilt. Additionally, the Township of St. Clair will rehabilitate the historical Holt Line Bridge over the Sydenham River. These improvements will ensure that these important travel routes improve safety for commuters in both communities and extend the lifespan of both bridges. The City of Sarnia will see the reconstruction and widening of approximately 3 kilometers of Plank Road between South Indian Road and Highway 40. These improvements will increase the safety of travellers and extend the road’s lifespan for years to come.

The Government of Canada is investing over $4.8 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $3.2 million for these important infrastructure projects in these communities while municipalities are contributing over $4.2 million towards the projects.

The governments of Canada and Ontario are working in collaboration with their partners to support jobs, improve communities and build confidence as we safely and sustainably restore economic growth.

Quotes

“These investments will help improve the roads and bridges that keep families in rural Ontario safe and connected to their neighbours, friends and family. These projects will create well-paying jobs in Southern Ontario, and protect our critical infrastructure that helps our region thrive.”-

Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“Today’s strategic investments will help residents and commuters in Sarnia, Amherstburg and St. Clair get where they need to go safely and reliably, extending the lifespan of important travel routes while supporting economic recovery and job creation. I’m proud to represent Ontario and   our Minister of Infrastructure to receive approval to move forward with our more than $3.2-million investment in these communities.”-

Bob Bailey, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“The Town of Amherstburg is proud to be the recipient of this grant funding agreement from the Federal and Provincial Governments. The successful application of Bridge 3012 (5th Concession North over River Canard) will not only address the need for replacement as identified in our Infrastructure needs study, it will also conserve the service level it currently provides in a safe and reliable manner. The Town is sincerely grateful for receiving funds to address these infrastructure needs.”-Aldo DiCarlo, Mayor of Amherstburg

“All of us in St. Clair Township are very thankful to the Honourable Maryam Monsef, the Honourable Laurie Scott, the federal and provincial governments, that we have been awarded funding for the Holt Line Bridge Rehabilitation Project. It is a major connecting link for our farmers and rural traffic on the south side of the McKeough Dam which protects the town of Wallaceburg. Without the project funding we were faced with the closure of the Bridge for many years until we could save the funds needed to complete this vital bridge.”- Arnold, Mayor of St.Clair

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. 
• Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $7.7 billion under the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan towards more than 2,500 infrastructure projects.
• Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community infrastructure.
• The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
• Central to Canada’s Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• On July 9, 2020, Ontario launched the $150-million Improving Connectivity for Ontario program to fund broadband and cellular infrastructure projects where there is a need for better service. This is part of the province’s $315 million initiative Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.