Canada, Ontario invest in improved cycling and public transit infrastructure for Guelph residents
Funding for two projects that will expand Guelph’s public transit fleet while supporting its transition to clean energy was announced by Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, on behalf of the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Stephen Crawford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and on behalf of the Honorable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Cam Guthrie, Mayor of the city of Guelph, Ontario.
The first project involves the expansion and enhancement of the cycling network in Guelph. Construction of new accessible bike paths and improvements to bike path intersections will improve safety for cyclists and provide direct access to the city's public transit system.
The second project consists of the construction of a new Guelph Transit terminal building at Guelph Central Station that meets accessibility and energy efficiency standards. The new building will include passenger waiting areas and public washrooms, as well as amenities for transit employees.
"Investing in modern public transit systems that are better connected to active transportation networks is essential to building the healthy, sustainable communities of tomorrow,” said Parliament Member Longfield. “Adding new accessible paths to Guelph's growing cycling network and building a modern, efficient transit terminal are great examples of working with our partners to build infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities while taking action on climate change."
Together, these investments will help make it easier for cyclists and public transit users to get around their community safely while protecting the environment.
"As Guelph continues to grow, it's critical that we invest in accessible, sustainable infrastructure projects that support our community's vision for a connected city where people can move around freely. The funding announced today represents an important step forward as we work to make this vision a reality,” said Guelph Mayor Guthrie. “On behalf of council and the city of Guelph, I want to thank the government of Canada and province of Ontario for their contributions to these important projects, and for their continued partnership in helping Guelph achieve its climate goal to be a net-zero carbon community by 2050."
The government of Canada is investing more than C$1.8 million (US$1,328,540 million) to the cycling network expansion and C$2.7 million (US$1,992,811 million) to the Guelph Central Station project through the Public Transit Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The government of Ontario is providing more than C$3 million (US$2,214,234 million), while the city of Guelph's contribution is more than C$11 million (US$8,118,860 million) to both projects.
"Ontario is investing an additional C$3 million to support local transit infrastructure in Guelph, adding to the more than C$33-million investment announced in January,” said Parliament Member Crawford. “With the approval of these projects and this joint investment of more than C$18 million from Ontario, the federal government and the city of Guelph will help jump start the local recovery and create much needed jobs. I am very pleased that Guelph is now able to move forward with these local priority projects and to deliver improved transit to the community."
