News Release June 27, 2016 $25-Million Part of Largest Infrastructure Investment in Province's History Ontario is accepting applications for the next intake for the Connecting Links program for projects starting in spring 2017. Connecting links are municipal roads or bridges that connect two ends of a provincial highway through a community, or to a border crossing. The program was introduced last year to help municipalities repair their roadways and bridges. The province provided $20 million in 2016-17 to support 23 Connecting Link projects across Ontario. Funding for the Connecting Links program will increase to $25 million in 2017-18 and $30 million in the 2018-19 period and the following years. Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years for projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. This investment is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province. In 2015, the government announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life. Investing in Connecting Links 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 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 infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is 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. |