$3 Million coming to Timmins for Connecting Link

Ontario is providing Timmins with $3 million to improve road safety and create or sustain jobs through the Connecting Links program.

This project includes reconstruction of a two kilometre section of Highway 101 East from Bruce Avenue westerly.

“This is wonderful news for Timmins,” says Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle, “This investment made through the Connecting Links program will help the community build safer roads for our families, stimulate the economy and create jobs.”

Timmins has been one of the strongest advocates for the reinstatement of the Connecting Links Program when it was removed in 2011. These efforts ramped up in 2015 when Timmins’ Connecting Link was voted in as the CAA Worst Road in Ontario, following the launch of a campaign by Timmins Mayor Steve Black.

Through the Connecting Links program, Ontario is helping municipalities repair their roadways and bridges that connect communities to provincial highways and border crossings. The province is funding up to 90 per cent of total eligible project costs up to a maximum of $3 million for the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of connecting link infrastructure.

Mayor Black says city staff played a huge role in getting the funding application together.

“Without all those efforts, we would not be issuing this release today,” he said, “Many meetings and discussions have taken place over the last year, and a preliminary design study was completed. The 10-year, 10-phase project has an estimated cost of over $95 Million – highlighting the increased need for funding. The $3 Million dollars received in the 2016 Connecting Link program will provide 66% of the cost for Phase 1 which is to be completed this summer.”

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.

Black and company are more than likely not done asking for provincial funds for the 21 kilometre stretch.  And it’s a good thing too, because more money will be filtered into the provincial program.

In February 2016, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the program will provide $20 million in 2016–17, up from $15 million announced in the 2015 Budget. Funding for this program will increase to $25 million in 2017-18 and $30 million per year by 2018–19.

Investing in infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.