Canada and Ontario invest in roads for rural communities in Belleville and Quinte West

BELLEVILLE, ON, June 23, 2020 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected smaller communities across the province. While moving towards recovery, investments in infrastructure in rural and northern Ontario are vital to successful, thriving communities and their economies.

Today, Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; the Honourable Todd Smith, Ontario's Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure; His Worship Mitch Panciuk, Mayor of the City of Belleville; and his Worship Jim Harrison, Mayor of the City of Quinte West, announced funding for the improvement of road and active transportation infrastructure in the two neighbouring cities.

Belleville residents will benefit from the reconstruction and widening of approximately 1.5 km of Bell Boulevard. The boulevard will be widened from two to four lanes west of Sidney Street, new signalized intersections will be installed, and auxiliary and turning lanes, street lighting, and paved shoulders will be added to support active transportation, such as cycling and walking. Traffic congestion will be eased by accommodating higher traffic volumes, supporting commercial and industrial development along the boulevard, and improving the safety and reliability of the road.

In Quinte West, King Street, Division Street, Catherine Street and Dufferin Avenue will be reconstructed and upgraded to include wheelchair-accessible sidewalks, bike lanes and asphalt resurfacing. These enhancements will support safer and more reliable infrastructure for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $4.9 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing over $3.3 million; the City of Belleville is contributing more than $5.9 million; and Quinte West is contributing $7.8 million.

Quotes

"Investments in public infrastructure, such as improving roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, help build strong rural communities and improve the quality of life for our residents. We are proud to support these projects—and many others like them across the country—that will help to ensure that Belleville, Quinte West and other communities remain among the best places to live, work and raise a family."

Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

"These investments will keep people moving safely and effectively within our growing Bay of Quinte communities. The rejuvenation of Quinte West's King Street corridor enhances a well-travelled link to key infrastructure in Trenton, while a widened Bell Boulevard is crucial for further development in Belleville. Both project areas also provide access for visitors coming off Hwy 401. This collaboration is great news."

The Honourable Todd Smith, Ontario's Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure

"The Bell Boulevard construction project is essential to accommodate the rapid traffic growth, increase safety and reduce congestion on this roadway. This Federal and Provincial funding has made it possible for us to proceed with widening this road from two to four lanes, addressing the extraordinary commercial and industrial growth pressures this area is about to experience."

His Worship Mitch Panciuk, Mayor of the City of Belleville

"The City of Quinte West is pleased to be partnering with the Provincial and Federal governments on the King Street Redevelopment Project. Their investment will help revitalize two major roadways within our community, one of which leads to our hospital. This important partnership ensures we are providing residents with safe and sustainable infrastructure they can count on for years to come."

His Worship Jim Harrison, Mayor of the City of Quinte West

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.
• 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 June 3, 2020, Ontario announced it was investing $150 million to launch the Improving Connectivity in Ontario program to fund broadband infrastructure projects in rural, remote and underserved regions of Ontario. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.

Associated links

Government of Canada Resources - Coronavirus disease (COVID 19): 
www.canada.ca/coronavirus

Prime Minister announces support to help communities create jobs and restart the economy:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/06/01/prime-minister-announces-support-help-communities-create-jobs-and 

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/on-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural/strat-eng.html

Connecting Ontario: improving broadband and cellular access:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-ontario-improving-broadband-and-cellular-access

Ontario Builds Project Map: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario

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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada