PERTH-WELLINGTON – Wellington North will receive more than $1 million in provincial funding for the reconstruction of Smith Street in Arthur.
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced the grant in an April 11 press release, as part of more than $4 million in local infrastructure funding announced for the riding. The money comes from the province’s Connecting Links program and is intended to help repair and maintain local roads and bridges.
“Roads and bridges are vital in our rural communities, connecting people to jobs, health care services, and getting goods to market,” Rae stated.
“This is great news for our area. I will continue to work with our local municipal councils to ensure Perth-Wellington receives its fair share of infrastructure funding.”
The City of Stratford will receive $3 million for the resurfacing of Erie and Ontario Street (Highways 7 & 8), while the Township of Wellington North will receive $1,056,123 for the reconstruction of Smith Street in Arthur.
In November the township approved an application for funding for resurfacing Smith Street (Highway 6) through Arthur, north of the Conestogo River bridge to Wells Street.
“This is an essential program for small and rural municipalities in Ontario,” Rae added. “In 2023-24, our government will spend $3.2 billion towards projects that will expand and repair provincial highways and bridges. I want to congratulate the City of Stratford and Township of Wellington North on their successful applications.”
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. Eligible costs include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of municipal roads and bridges that run through communities and connect to provincial highways.
“Our government is investing in municipal roads and bridges to support jobs and growth in our local communities,” stated Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney. “By helping municipalities make much-needed infrastructure improvements, our government is continuing to deliver on its plan to build a stronger Ontario and keep goods and people moving across the province.”
Eligible municipalities are encouraged to apply for 2024–25 Connecting Links program funding when the intake opens later this year.
