Last updated: May 22, 2024
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2024
Owen Sound – The Ontario government is investing $5.7 million to help the City of Owen Sound and the Municipality of South Bruce Peninsula improve road conditions. 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 Northern and rural communities.
“Safe and reliable roads and bridges are vital links that connect people to jobs and housing and make it easier for them to get where they need to go,” said Rick Byers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “Our government will continue to provide the funding municipalities need to ensure our transportation infrastructure is maintained for generations to come."
Projects in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound receiving funding:
· $2,700,000 – Owen Sound – Hwy 6/10 – Rehabilitation of 9th Avenue East from Superior Street to 6th Street East
· $3,000,000 – South Bruce Peninsula – Hwy 6 - Reconstruction of Berford Street from George Street to Elm Street, including traffic signal replacement at Frank Street
A connecting link is a designated municipal road or bridge that connects two ends of a provincial highway through a community, or to an international border crossing. This year, the Ontario government is investing $30 million in 21 projects to repair roads and bridges in 19 municipalities across the province.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing a historic $27 billion over the next decade to build and repair roads, highways and bridges,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “We will continue to support our municipal partners to ensure we build a better, stronger Ontario that leaves no community behind.”
Eligible costs for Connecting Links include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of designated municipal roads and bridges. Municipalities are encouraged to apply for 2025–26 Connecting Links program funding when the intake opens later this year.
“Council looks to deliver millions of dollars in capital and renew aging infrastructure every year. We have tasked City staff with finding and increasing non-taxation revenue,” said City of Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy. “We thank them and the Province for their coordinated effort to deliver funds for this project that will benefit our citizens, businesses, and visitors.”
“We are thrilled by this substantial investment in our community's infrastructure. Well-maintained roads are essential for the prosperity, safety, and well-being of our residents and visitors," stated South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Jay Kirkland. "This funding not only improves transportation but also drives economic growth, ensuring South Bruce Peninsula remains a vibrant and connected hub for generations to come.”
Quick Facts
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.
Additional Resources
Provincial highway infrastructure | ontario.ca
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For further information, please contact:
MPP Rick Byers Constituency Office | Karen MacInnis | 519-371-2421 | rick.byers@pc.ola.org