By Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction News staff writer
Sault Ste. Marie and Batchewana First Nations are getting a $5 million boost from the Canada Infrastructure Program. This investment from the federal and provincial government will directly support six transit and road projects, giving people living in the North easier mobility and more accessibility.
Sault MPP Ross Romano announced the funding Friday as part of the 300 projects that have already passed the province’s application process and have been nominated for funding to the federal government.
“These are significant projects to Sault Ste. Marie and Batchewana First Nation,” Romano said.
Sault Ste. Marie Transit will invest in new buses and technology, bus shelters, a new downtown terminal and building a northern transfer point.
The city’s share of funding is $4.5 from the province and a $5.4 million from the federal government. In addition, the municipality will contribute $3.6 million to the $13.43-million project.
Funds must be spent within eight years.
Brent Lamming, director of community services for Sault Ste. Marie, told reporters that buses will be purchased on an “as-needed” basis and money will help the city to implement a multi-year transit plan.
While the average age of a bus in Ontario is six years, it’s double that in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Northern and Rural Funding program provide $439,000 to Batchewana First Nation for road and housing projects on the Rankin Reserve. The $1.9-million project will also include an investment from the federal government and the Batchewana First Nation.
Chief Dean Sayers said preliminary work has been completed along with ongoing work connecting to the water and sewer system.
A tender process will be issued to assign the work.