CREDIT: ANGELA MCINNES
A $123 million pledge of federal funding means the East London Link through Oxford Street and Highbury Avenue is one step closer to realization.

The federal government has made its largest one-time funding pledge to London by way of $123 million towards transit and transit- supportive projects.

On Aug. 29, London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos and London West MP Kate Young announced the investment on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, alongside London Mayor Ed Holder.

“This investment represents the single largest infrastructure project in London’s history and will improve mobility for all Londoners, regardless of how they travel,” Holder stated in a City of London news release. “In addition, these 10 transit projects will also stimulate job growth and road safety improvements. After years of division and delay, London is finally on the move.”

In March, City Council rejected two of the five proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) routes. Holder was among those who opposed the North Connection on Richmond Street, and the West Connection along Wharncliffe Road and Oxford Street.

At that time, the council approved 10 overall projects and submitted for funding consideration from the provincial and federal governments. In June, the province committed $103 million, with the city pitching in $148 million.

Of the federal funding, $91 million will go toward the three City-approved BRT segments: the East London Link, the Wellington Gate and the Downtown Loop on King Street and Queens Avenue.

According to london.ca, the East London Link will revitalize 6.3 kilometres of road from Downtown to Fanshawe College. A transit hub at Fanshawe will benefit those taking public transit to London’s eastern industrial employment areas. Plans for the Link also include widening Highbury Bridge and Highbury Avenue and Oxford Street, along with installation of smarter traffic signals.

The federal funding for the projects is a part the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.

“Upgrading public transit helps our communities provide efficient and reliable services that transform the way Londoners live, move, and work. The projects announced today will provide residents and commuters with the infrastructure needed to travel across the community safely,” Fragiskatos said on an online media release at canada.ca. “This is an excellent example of how we are working to build stronger, more sustainable infrastructure that will serve communities now and in the future.”

Other projects covered by the funding and detailed on the Government of Canada website (canada. ca) include:

• 31 expansion buses

• Bus stop amenities

• Intelligent traffic signals

• Adelaide Street underpass active transportation connections

• Dundas Place Thames Valley Parkway connection

• Dundas Street Old East Village streetscape improvements

• Oxford Street / Wharncliffe Road intersection improvements

Now that funding has been secured from both levels of government, the City will focus on finding municipal funding sources through charges to developers, as well as various property tax-supported funding sources.

Once the municipal sources are finalized and a formal Transfer Payment Agreement has been received, a report outlining the full financial overview of the 10 projects will be presented for Council’s approval before the projects go to their next stage.