Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Town of Ajax’s efforts to secure provincial funding for its pivotal Hunt Street Extension (H-Link) project have hit a roadblock. In a letter addressed to Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Patrice Barnes, Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier voiced his profound disappointment that the Town was not awarded funding through the Housing Enabling Core Servicing Fund (HECS) for the ambitious infrastructure initiative.
The H-Link project, part of the town’s broader vision for intensification in the downtown core, aims to create an expanded road, multi-use path, and enhanced transit connections, which would support high-density development near the Ajax GO Station. The extension of Hunt Street, from Harwood Avenue to Westney Road, is seen as crucial for accommodating both current and future population growth.
Despite being encouraged to apply for the funding, the project was not selected, a setback that Collier believes undermines efforts to manage rapid urban expansion and provide affordable housing.
In his letter, Collier highlighted the government’s emphasis on municipal intensification and the importance of Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) to address housing needs. The Ajax GO Station area was specifically identified as a priority for such development.
“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,” Collier wrote, underscoring the project’s critical importance to Ajax’s growth and future.
The H-Link extension is expected to play a pivotal role in the Town’s goal of adding 10,000 residential and mixed-use units to downtown Ajax, helping to create a connected, vibrant community. The Town had also hoped to combine the HECS funding with a previous award from the Building Faster Fund to expedite the project’s progress. The municipality had already invested in detailed design work to ensure it met the criteria for funding.
Collier’s letter also points to the Town of Whitby’s success in securing nearly $20 million for its Columbus Road project, suggesting that while the funding was well-deserved, the Ajax initiative would have a far greater long-term impact on housing, affordability, and sustainability in the region.
“Without the H-Link, our vision for a thriving downtown, centered around transit-oriented development and affordable housing, will be much harder to achieve,” Collier emphasized in his letter, urging Barnes to work with the Minister responsible to reconsider the funding decision.
The rejection of the funding has raised concerns in the Town of Ajax, as local leaders argue that the project’s infrastructure is critical to ensuring the success and sustainability of their growing community. With increasing demand for affordable housing and transit-oriented development in the region, many are hoping the provincial government will re-evaluate the decision and recognize the long-term benefits of the H-Link initiative for Ajax and Durham Region.
