It was the long Victoria Day weekend but that didn’t stop Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson from delivering some good news to Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau.
Thompson was in Port Elgin on Monday, May 20th, with the news that the Government of Ontario is investing $2,691,000 to help with the resurfacing of Goderich Street (Hwy. 21) from Concession 6 (formerly known as CAW Rd.)at the south end of Port Elgin to Concession 10 at the north end of Port Elgin.
The funding is being delivered through the Connecting Links program, which helps maintain vital roads and bridges that connect people to good jobs, support the movement of goods and drive economic growth in rural communities. Eligible costs for Connecting Links include design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of designated municipal roads and bridges.
A Connecting Link is a designated municipal road or bridge that connects two ends of a provincial highway through a community. “This year, the province is investing. $30 million in 21 projects to repair roads and bridges in 19 municipalities,” said MPP Thompson. “This investment is one of the largest outside of the GTA.”
“We are trying to make people understand that this particular area of Ontario is ripe for development and we have to stay ahead when it comes to infrastructure,” added Thompson.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau pointed out that “… given the proposed expansion at the Bruce Nuclear site, the municipality has to lay the foundations today and be proactive or we will be under even more pressure than we are today. This funding from the province will enable us to more forward with the much-needed work on the Connecting Link through Port Elgin and is much appreciated.”
Thompson added that, “Safe, reliable roads and bridges are vital links that connect people and make easier for them to get where they need to go, whether that be their job, school, stores, appointments or to family and friends. Our government recognizes that importance of maintain busy roads like the main street in Port Elgin. When completed this investment will surely be appreciated by local businesses, residents and visitors alike.”
“I trust everyone will continue to support the local businesses while the resurfacing work is being done,” said Thompson.
She went on to say, that under the leadership of Premier Ford, the government is investing an historic $27 billion over the next decade to build and repair roads, highways and bridges. “Under the direction of Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, we will continue to support our municipal partners to ensure we build a better, stronger Ontario that leaves no community behind.”
In Ontario, there are a total of 352 kilometres of connecting links with 70 bridges in 77 municipalities. The Connecting Links program provides funding for up to 90 per cent of eligible project costs. This includes a maximum of $3 million for road projects and $5 million for bridge projects.
