Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Quinte West will receive a $11.1 million from the province’s Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) stream, to urbanize sections of Highway 2 and 2nd Dug Hill Road.
It’s the largest provincial government grant the city has ever received.
“This transformative project will urbanize Highway 2 and 2nd Dug Hill Road with expanded lanes and active transportation options, and will enable the development of 3,489 new housing units,” said Mayor Jim Harrison.
Work planned for Highway 2 includes lane widening, the addition of active transportation lanes, and intersection reconfiguration and expansion. Work planned for 2nd Dug Hill Road includes lane widening, intersection improvements, utility relocation, a culvert replacement, and the addition of sidewalks and a multi-use pathway.
The need for these projects is driven by significant growth and development in the area. Construction on the projects is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2027.
The Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) stream of Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP) helps municipalities build, maintain and repair roads, bridges and culverts, to promote growth and enable housing. Quinte West submitted HECS stream funding application for these projects in October 2024.
“We’re seeing considerable new housing development in Quinte West, and our government is committed to helping the municipality have the financial support to continue that trend,” said MPP Tyler Allsopp. “This new funding ensures timely upgrades to roads and pedestrian infrastructure serving these new developments.”
