Green light for $40-million investment in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
City council has unanimously backed one of the largest investments in active transportation ever in London, Ont.
A commitment of $10.7-million from city hall would unlock $29.3-million of senior government funding remaining since 2019 in London’s allocation of funds from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
If the application is approved by senior governments, the $40 million would fast track numerous cycling and pedestrian infrastructure projects planned across the city including:
- $14M construct new bike lanes
- $11.5M widen bridges for bike lanes Widening Bridges
- $4.5M extend Thames Valley Parkway with promenade along South St.
- $4.3M AODA compliant intersection upgrades
- $4M renew boulevard bike lanes along Wonderland & Adelaide
- $1.5M install new pedestrian crossings
- $200K additional bike parking
The federal and provincial funding is left over from public transit and active infrastructure funding first offered to London in 2019.
At the time, city council considered a list of projects including all five routes of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, but ultimately did not advance the north and west routes for consideration.
Deputy City Manager of Environment and Infrastructure, Kelly Scherr told council that London Transit has not yet submitted transit projects that could qualify for the remaining $120 million available in the ICIP fund.
“This does not include transit projects at this time,” explained Scherr. “But does not preclude it in the future based on LTC’s ability to deliver, scope and define their needs,” she said.
The city’s share of funding for the $40-million list of active transportation projects will come from within the existing capital budget.
To qualify for the third stream of ICIP funding, projects must be shovel-ready and substantially completed by Oct. 31, 2027.
Scherr believes there is still time for London Transit to submit projects.
“They’ve agreed to wait and come back with some options in the future.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.