Denial of provincial funding ‘significant setback’ for major project in Ajax, Ontario

A plan to extend Hunt Street in Ajax over to Westney Road to accommodate future growth will not be fast-tracked as hoped after the provincial government denied funding for the project.

Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier said the decision not to award funding through the Housing Enabling Core Servicing Fund for what is called the H-Link project represents a “significant setback” in the town’s efforts to manage the rapid growth in the downtown core.

The H-Link project includes the expanded road, an integrated multi-use path and enhanced transit connections to support the high-density development planned for the area, Collier noted.

“The H-Link project is integral to our vision for downtown Ajax,” Collier said. “By extending Hunt Street from Harwood Avenue to Westney Road, we can better accommodate both current and future growth. This infrastructure is essential to our goal of bringing 10,000 residential and mixed-use units online and building a connected, vibrant downtown.”

Collier expressed “deep disappointment” on the decision in a letter to Progressive Conservative Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes last week.

“Your government has consistently emphasized the need for municipalities to embrace intensification and focus on developing Major Transit Station Areas – in our case, the area surrounding the Ajax GO Station – to ensure that current and future Ontarians have access to affordable housing,” Collier write, adding that the town was “encouraged” by Barnes to apply.

The town had hoped to combine the funding with a recent Building Faster Fund award of more than $4 million to expedite the project “as quickly as possible,” with Collier declaring the town is so confident in the importance of the H-Link project it included advanced detailed design work in the budget to qualify for funding.

“The absence of funding for the H-Link project is a missed opportunity for both the town and the province to invest in a long-term initiative that will benefit our residents and businesses for generations to come. This infrastructure is critical to the success and sustainability of our community.”

Collier also pointed out that neighbouring Whitby received nearly $20 million in provincial funding for the Columbus Road project.

“While we recognize the value of this project and the others awarded, we strongly believe that the H-Link project will have a far greater impact on building much-needed homes, lowering the cost of living, and enabling mixed-use, transit-oriented development in our region. These types of developments are the key to keeping Ajax and Durham Region affordable, sustainable, and competitive in an increasingly globalized economy.”

“I urge you to work with the minister responsible to reconsider this decision. The Town of Ajax is relying on this extension to create a vibrant, sustainable downtown. Without it, our vision for the future will be much harder to achieve.”