Ontario Construction News staff writer
OTTAWA – The City of Ottawa’s public works and infrastructure committee has approved its portion of the 2026 draft budget, with $880.7 million for transportation infrastructure and projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience.
Funding includes $557.7 million for initiatives that reduce emissions and $307.1 million for projects that build climate resilience. The winter operations budget will increase by $3 million to $103.4 million.
With a focus on roads, bridges, sidewalks, pathways, bike infrastructure and traffic improvements, key projects include:
- $239.6 million for integrated road, water, and sewer projects, including $70 million for road resurfacing
- $41.3 million for bridge and structure renewal or rehabilitation
- $38.1 million to replace vehicles, including transitioning the city’s fleet to electric, hybrid, and low-emission models
- $13.5 million to renew sidewalks and pathways
- $2.5 million to replace parking payment systems
- $400,000 for additional bike parking infrastructure, including secure lockers
The budget also targets growth areas and traffic mobility, with multi-year projects such as widening Greenbank Road ($56.1 million) and Carp Road ($20.4 million), as well as intersection improvements, transit reliability measures, and road and sidewalk upgrades in developing areas.
Additional funding will go to pedestrian and cycling facilities ($32.1 million), new traffic signals and roundabouts ($5.8 million), pedestrian crossovers ($2.6 million), and new streetlights ($500,000).
The committee also discussed that Schedule 5 of Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, will prevent the city from reducing car lanes for bike lanes or other purposes. Staff will review affected cycling projects and report back with recommendations on reallocating funds in the second quarter of 2026.
City council will consider the committee’s recommendations, including the draft budget, Dec. 10.