Province investing in 16 transit projects throughout Waterloo to get people moving
The Voice of Canada News:
Ontario is working to support municipalities and get people moving by investing up to $4 million for new transit infrastructure projects that will benefit students, faculty and staff of Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo.
“With more than 3,000 riders counting on taking a Grand River Transit bus to Conestoga College each and every weekday, it is clear that access to transit is a critical part of student life in the Region of Waterloo,” said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. “Ontario is keeping its promise to help get people moving. These investments will help students pursue their education and connect them to the larger community and jobs, which many students need to support their education. This helps make Ontario open for business, which means Open for Everybody.”
The funding includes the construction of four heated shelters with an area for 40 bikes as well as improved amenities and protection for passengers at the University of Waterloo. Conestoga College will see increased service with the purchase of six new buses and the installation of nine bus shelters, canopies and other amenities. This project is being nominated under the Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a 10-year, $30-billion fund that provides support to help municipalities repair or build critical infrastructure. This is part of the government’s 10-year, $144 billion strategic infrastructure capital plan, which includes over $90 billion for public transit and provincial highways over the next decade.
The project in Waterloo is in addition to 15 transit projects in the region being nominated. The transit projects are worth up to $60.7 million in provincial funding. They include building the new Grand River Northfield Bus Maintenance Facility, and the purchase of new 30 buses, which will allow for transit expansion to meet growing demand in the region.
“This government is committed to building infrastructure that makes life better for people across Ontario,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. “Better public transit creates stronger communities and frees more time for students to pursue their education and find work, which helps make Ontario open for business.”
The projects are now with the federal government for final funding decisions as they are reviewed for eligibility under the ICIP program. Some projects could begin as soon as fall 2019.
