Ontario is providing $475,000 to the City of Orillia and to the Towns of Midland and Collingwood over the next two years to help build new cycling infrastructure through the
Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program.
The City of Orillia will receive $325,000 to build a 1 kilometre off-road pathway that will allow cyclists and pedestrians to safely travel across Highway 11 and alongside a busy road with multiple intersections. This new pathway will also help cyclists travel to work, school and recreation destinations in the west end of the city.
The Town of Midland will receive $90,000 to create a new 2.43 kilometre bike loop around the downtown area that will include separated bicycle lanes with physical barriers, raised cycle tracks and signed bike routes on shared roadways. The new loop will create cycling routes within the downtown commercial area that connect to existing trails and to destinations outside downtown.
The Town of Collingwood will receive $60,000 to install 0.7 kilometres of a cycling and walking path to help cyclists travel to Millennium Park and make this recreation and tourism destination more accessible for cyclist of all ages.
Last year, Ontario launched the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program, a $10 million funding program to help municipalities across the province build new, and improve existing, cycling infrastructure. Ontario is providing 50 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $325,000. Eligible projects for funding include the installation or improvement of on-road cycling lanes, off-road cycling and walking paths, cycling-specific traffic signals and signs, active transportation bridges and bike racks.
The
Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program is helping implement
#CycleON: Ontario's Cycling Strategy, the government's 20-year vision to encourage the growth of cycling and improve safety for cyclists across the province.
Investing in cycling 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.
Quick Facts
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Municipalities awarded funding under the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program will begin receiving funds in April 2016.
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Projects selected for funding most effectively aligned with the program objectives: improving connections between local cycling networks, promoting safety, enabling recreation and tourism, encouraging innovation, research and data collection, supporting partnerships and improving awareness of cycling as a viable transportation mode.
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Almost three million Ontarians hop on their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer and fall and many cycle year-round.
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