City of Waterloo receives funding for active transportation

Infrastructure Canada has provided $150,000 in grants to the City of Waterloo for three active transportation projects that will increase options for efficient and safer commutes.

As announced by Infrastructure Canada in a news release, the City of Waterloo’s three projects are part of 50 active transportation planning and design projects across Ontario with investments of more than $2.3 million that the government is supporting through Infrastructure Canada’s Active Transportation Fund. 

The total investment will provide the necessary resources for municipalities and organizations to plan for the paths, trails, footbridges, wayfinding signage, and other infrastructure they need to support more active travel in their communities.

“I am so excited to announce the federal government’s support for 50 planning and design projects that will lead to more and improved active transportation infrastructure across Ontario,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Investments in active transportation are a key part of building strong, connected and sustainable communities. Bike paths, sidewalks, footbridges and multi-use trails connect our homes to our communities and beyond, helping to make them the best places to live.”

“We are grateful to Infrastructure Canada for investing in our active transportation network, adding more options for getting around is an important way to address affordability for citizens and increases mobility for all,” says Dorothy McCabe, Waterloo Mayor.

The funding will go towards planning and design costs for:

• the Davenport Road separated cycling project;
• the Lexington Road separated cycling project; and;
• the rehabilitation/replacement of a pedestrian bridge in Waterloo Park.

The two cycling projects would connect residents to transit routes, local schools, parks and amenities. The Davenport project would provide access to GRT’s transit hub and the ION Light Rail station at Conestoga Mall.

“Enhancing and connecting these routes and trails to broader transportation networks provides more access to local services and more options for getting around,” says Bob Henderson, Director of Transportation Services. “If you don’t have a car or choose not to use one, this connected system would offer more mobility choices.”

The pedestrian bridge in Waterloo Park would be upgraded and widened to accommodate the increase in active transportation traffic. “More people are walking, cycling and even using scooters to get where they need to go,” says Henderson, “which supports our environmental goals as well.”

The City of Waterloo has been designated a gold cycling community partly because of its accessible routes and connections. Waterloo is hosting this year’s Ontario Bike Summit.

The Davenport Road planning project is already in progress, the other two are scheduled to begin in 2024.

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Media contact:

Stacey Abbott

Corporate Communications Manager

Stacey.Abbott@waterloo.ca