L-R: Steve Clark, MPP, Mayor Nancy Peckford, UCLG Warden Pat Sayeau, and Michael Barrett, MP.

Years of work on behalf of area residents culminated in a celebratory announcement as Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark said all of the funding is finally in place to allow the $9.9-million County Road 43 expansion to proceed.

The final piece of the funding was announced last week by the federal government after the province had nominated the project under the Rural and Northern Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and committed its $3.3-million share last July.

The announcement was made by masked politicians, Steve Clark, MPP, Michael Barrett, MP, Warden Pat Sayeau of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford, with members of the NG Council also in attendance.

The project is one of 144 nominated to the federal government for funding approval via the Rural and Northern stream of ICIP alone last summer. Steve Clark noted County Road 43’s $9.9 million cost represents more than half of the $19.75 million bundle of five Eastern Ontario projects that received federal approval. “In fact, we can take pride in Leeds and Grenville that this is the largest project in Ontario approved under the Rural and Northern Stream,” he said. “I’m thrilled that we’re now at the point where we can stop talking about the need to expand County Road 43 and finally get shovels in the ground to make it a reality”.

Mayor Peckford thanked the relevant provincial ministers for the role they played in acquiring the funds. “On behalf of residents and businesses in North Grenville, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Provincial Minister Laurie Scott for their collaboration,” she said. “It will make a world of difference for this community. The expansion will benefit those directly along the CR43 corridor, which include a variety of businesses, schools, daycares, a senior’s retirement complex as well as several neighbourhoods and subdivisions. Equally important, it will provide a safe and attractive boulevard for all those who use it in the region.”

“County Road 43 is a critical piece of Leeds and Grenville’s transportation infrastructure. The four-laning project will ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and residents into and through Kemptville,” added Warden Sayeau. “This investment by all levels of government will result in the continued economic growth in Leeds and Grenville, and represents the largest ever capital infrastructure investment by the Counties. We are pleased to have the support of the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada.”

The federal and provincial funding announced will expand approximately 1.15 km of existing roadway to a four-lane Boulevard through the main part of Kemptville. It will include the addition of roundabouts and pedestrian crossings to improve the flow of traffic, and the rehabilitation of the existing bridge across the South Branch. The Municipality of North Grenville and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville jointly applied for funding of the CR43 Expansion Project through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a $10 million cost-shared infrastructure funding program between the federal government, province, county and municipality. It is expected that construction will begin in 2021.

The full expansion of CR43 will expand approximately 3.1 km of existing roadway to four-lanes, from Colonnade Mall through Kemptville to Somerville Road, and include the twinning of the existing bridge across the South Branch. The total estimated cost of the entire expansion project is $27 million. The County has committed to securing the remainder of the balance of the project.

In November, the Municipality launched a public campaign and website to gather support and provide updates on the 43 Expansion Project (www.Expand43.ca). The successful campaign has resulted in securing funding to move the project forward.

For updates on the expansion project visit: www.Expand43.ca.

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