Province pitches in for Dufferin bridge replacement

Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham, was recently joined by King Mayor Steve Pellegrini and Ward 6 Councillor Avia Eek to announce the provincial government's funding grant of up to $1.8 million for the replacement of the Dufferin Street Bridge through the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy.

The Ontario government is helping communities across the province address critical infrastructure needs with investments in roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems.

Over the next three years, the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative will provide nearly $90 million to help municipalities address infrastructure projects helping to strengthen communities and create jobs.

“This announcement is great news for King Township. Infrastructure is critical to the health of our municipalities, providing the foundation from which our communities can thrive. Our government recognizes the significance of investing in our municipalities through infrastructure,” Jaczek said.

“We're thrilled to be receiving this grant. Bridge replacement places a significant burden on our taxpayers and this investment by the Province of Ontario will not only assist King Township's taxpayers but also our Holland Marsh agricultural community as this bridge replacement is one of three needed to support the Holland Marsh Drainage works that are currently under construction,” said Pellegrini.

"As a farmer, and as a councillor, I am thrilled to have the support of the Province in the form of funding for the Dufferin St. Bridge, one of our necessary pieces of infrastructure re-construction projects. This infrastructure replacement facilitates the continued success of the Holland Marsh (Ontario's soup and salad bowl) as an economic driver to King Township, York Region, and the Province of Ontario through the production of high value vegetable crops with a value in excess of $169 million annually,” Eek said.