Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker announced as part of the Ontario Government's Connecting Links program, the Municipality of Meaford will receive $1,319,760 towards the reconstruction of Sykes Street and infrastructure replacement and the Township of West Grey will receive $710,234 towards the rehabilitation of Garafraxa Street Bridge.

The 2020-21 Connecting Links program will support 24 municipalities across the province to help them build, repair or replace municipal roads and bridges that connect two ends of a provincial highway through a community or to a border crossing.

Meaford will complete a full reconstruction of a critical section of Sykes St. N., from Collingwood to Lombard Street, some of which  dates back to 1894. "This grant of $1,319,760 will provide a significant portion of a project to include storm sewers, sidewalks, the road surface,” said Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus. “The remaining cost of the full replacement of water and sewer infrastructure is the responsibility of the municipality."

West Grey Mayor Christine Robinson said “the rehabilitation of the Garafraxa Street Bridge in Durham will ensure this critical roadway remains open and, equally important, lays the groundwork for more work to come. This grant shows the importance of collaborative relationships with all orders of government and that two-way conversations and West Grey’s advocacy results in action.”

Connecting Link projects are reviewed based on technical need and safety considerations such as the condition of the connecting link bridge and road, need for repair in the near term and cost effectiveness.

Eligible municipalities are also encouraged to apply for funding for the 2021-22 Connecting Links Program, which will be open to applications later this year.

source: media release, MPP Bill Walker