Feds, Province and Region get together in Whitby for $114.5 million phase one funding announcement for BRT
Published August 12, 2021 at 8:56 pm
Three MPs, a trio of MPPs and the Chair of Durham Region go together at Durham headquarters in Whitby today to announce $114.5 million in funding for the first phase of the Durham-Scarborough Rapid Bus Transit line.
Funding will go towards the construction of 7.5 km of dedicated median bus rapid transit lanes, 20 sheltered bus stops at 10 locations, and 7.5 km of bike lanes along Highway 2 in Pickering.
The federal government is investing $45.8 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing $38.1 million, and the Regional Municipality of Durham is contributing $30.5 million.
“Provincial, federal and local governments are working together to improve public transit infrastructure in Durham Region,” said Ajax MPP Rod Phillips. “Residents will benefit from the Bus Rapid Transit Lanes on the Highway 2 corridor, which will result in faster commutes and shorter travel times.”
The first phase of the funding is part of more than $500 million that will be invested in the BRT, a 36-kilometre route that will transport riders on dedicated bus lanes from the Scarborough Town Centre to Simcoe Street in Oshawa, and eventually to the new GO Station near Ritson Road and Highway 401.
“Today’s investment will help create better and more reliable public transit infrastructure in the Regional Municipality of Durham,” said Pickering-Uxbridge MP Jennifer O’Connell. “Together with our partners, we continue to support public transit infrastructure across the country so that people can get where they need to go in faster, safer, and cleaner ways.”
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The BRT initiative is expected to provide more frequent and reliable transit services to Durham Region and beyond.
Also on hand for today’s funding announcement were MPs Mark Holland (Ajax) and Ryan Turnbull (Whitby) and MPPs Peter Bethlenfalvy (Pickering-Uxbridge) and Lorne Coe (Whitby), as well as Durham Chair John Henry.
“The Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project is a great opportunity to continue to build and connect our communities,” Henry said. “Travel demand continues to grow in Durham Region and, with our federal and provincial partners, we will continue to provide safe and reliable transit for residents and visitors.”
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