Road reconstruction and upgrading projects in Kenora and Dryden are receiving a combined $5.3 million in provincial funding.
The province is contributing $3.9 million toward an $8.7-million reconstruction of a 1.7 kilometre portion of Railway Street and 10th Avenue South in Kenora. The work involves fixing potholes, replace sidewalks, adding cycling lanes and new street lighting.
A further $1.4 million in provincial funding is going into a $3.1-million project to replace the asphalt, curbs and do sidewalk repairs on Van Horne Avenue in Dryden.
Premier Doug Ford and Kenora-Rainy River MPP and cabinet minister Greg Rickford made the announcement Oct. 16 at Bowman Electric in Kenora.
"I know many Northerners are fed up about the delays in road repairs in the region," said Ford in a statement.
"Fixing these roads is a matter of safety for Northern drivers, especially when it comes to winter driving. Our government is going to put shovels in the ground, repair our roads, and ensure Northerners can get to where they need to go safely and quickly."
Want to read more stories about business in the North? Subscribe to our newsletter.
Rickford said a priority for the provincial government is facilitating the movement of “people and goods” across Northern Ontario.
"Funding critical road reconstruction in Kenora and Dryden improves our local infrastructure and supports our plan to develop our economy in northwestern Ontario."
Kenora Mayor Daniel Reynard said these improvements address a “long standing capital need. This announcement of infrastructure funding is on the cusp of completing Phase Four of Kenora's downtown revitalization plan, and improvements to this area only add to the vitality of our business community with a vital link to residences.”
Dryden Mayor Greg Wilson expressed his appreciation to Ford and Rickford for funding a vital infrastructure need in the community.
