Ontario helping Quinte West build critical infrastructure to support new homes

24 January 2025

City to receive over $11 million for urbanization projects

QUINTE WEST – The Ontario government is investing $11,072,214 in critical infrastructure that will support the construction of 3,489 new homes in Quinte West, Tyler Allsopp, MPP for Bay of Quinte announced today.  The funding is being delivered through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which includes $400 million to help build, repair and maintain municipal roads bridges, and culverts that will promote housing growth in communities across Ontario.

“We’re seeing considerable new housing development in Quinte West, and our government is committed to helping the municipality have the financial support to continue that trend,” said Allsopp. “This new funding ensures timely upgrades to roads and pedestrian infrastructure serving these new developments.”

The City of Quinte West will use the funding on Hwy 2 and 2nd Dug Hill Road in the west end.  Hwy 2 will see road widening, intersection reconstruction, and lane widening, while the work slated for 2nd Dug Hill Road includes lane widening, intersection improvements, utility relocations and culvert upgrades and the addition of sidewalks and a multi-use pathway. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer and take three years to complete. The project has been driven by significant growth in the area.

Mayor Jim Harrison was enthusiastic about the news.

“On behalf of the City of Quinte West, I want to thank the Province of Ontario for making the largest infrastructure investment in our city’s history – over $11 million. This transformative project will urbanize Hwy 2 and 2nd Dug Hill Road with expanded lanes and active transportation options, and it will enable 3,489 new housing units.”

Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, explained the investments will assist municipalities like Quinte West to manage the growth they are seeing.

“To keep pace with growing communities across our province, our government is helping municipalities build more homes faster than ever before,” said Surma. “Families and residents need safe and reliable roads and bridges to access these homes and travel safely to and from their destinations. That’s why we are making targeted, local investments through the Housing-Enabling Core Services Stream to support the construction of municipal roads, bridges, and culverts that keep residents safe and foster stronger, more connected communities across Ontario.”

Of the 58 projects funded through the program, 31 are in communities like Quinte West that do not have provincial housing targets. The government has invested $125.8 million in these communities.

Earlier this week, at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference, Surma announced the government will also invest $175 million to launch the new Health and Safety Water Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The new stream will support projects that protect homes and create resilient communities by building, rehabilitation and expanding aging water, wastewater, and stormwater systems and flood and erosion prevention infrastructure.

“I’m delighted to see this new stream providing yet another tool to assist municipalities as they grow,” said Allsopp. “The application portal is expected to open next month, and I encourage our Bay of Quinte municipalities to submit priority projects for consideration.”

Through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, Ontario is providing nearly $2 billion to support housing- and community-enabling infrastructure and build more homes across the province.

QUICK FACTS

  • In October, Ontario supported a new Official Plan for the City of Quinte West. It expands the urban boundary to support residential growth for a 25-year period, incorporates policy to allow additional residential units as of right, increases residential density, and includes mixed-use districts that encourage residential uses as part of commercial development.
  • Recent Ontario investments in Quinte West, including the Trenton Memorial Hospital emergency room development and the Murray Centennial School addition, are informed by growth projections.
  • Details on the new Health and Safety Water Stream and eligibility are available at www.ontario.ca/housinginfrasture.
  • The government is delivering the most ambitious capital plan in Ontario’s history, with targeted investments totalling more than $191 billion over the next decade to build critical infrastructure and lay a strong foundation for future generations.

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