More than $3.3 million in federal funding will support three active transportation projects in Durham Region, including new and improved trail connections in Ajax and Oshawa and the next design stage of the Durham Meadoway.
The Durham trail upgrades are being supported through the federal Active Transportation Fund. The Government of Canada is investing $3,385,703 across the three projects, which are intended to make walking, cycling and other forms of active travel safer and more convenient.
The projects include a new trail connection through the Crestpoint Lands in Ajax, preliminary design and intersection improvements for the Durham Meadoway, and a new multi-use path on Townline Road North in Oshawa.
Ajax trail will connect to Trans Canada Trail
In Ajax, approximately 1.5 kilometres of new multi-use trail will be built through the Crestpoint Lands, formerly known as the Annandale lands.
The project will also include improved seating and landscaping and will connect with the Trans Canada Trail network.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority says the trail work will be coordinated with ecological restoration on more than 20 hectares of former golf course lands. Restoration efforts include plans to re-establish wetlands, meadows and forested areas within the Duffins Creek watershed.
The Town of Ajax is contributing $810,000 to the project.
Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier said the connection is expected to make it easier for residents and visitors to walk, cycle and explore the community while improving accessibility and outdoor recreation options.
Durham Meadoway moves to preliminary design
A second portion of the Durham trail upgrades will advance the Durham Meadoway, a planned 30-kilometre active transportation corridor and linear park.
The route is designed to connect neighbourhoods from the Toronto-Pickering boundary east to Harmony Road in Oshawa, passing through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.
Federal funding will support a preliminary design study and traffic-signal upgrades at five Regional intersections along the proposed route.
The study represents another step toward moving the Meadoway from the planning stage toward implementation.
Durham Region, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa are collectively contributing $1.2 million to the current stage of the project.
Regional Chair John Henry said the Meadoway is intended to create a connected and accessible corridor that encourages active transportation while linking communities and greenspaces.
New Townline Road path planned in Oshawa
Oshawa will also receive support for a new multi-use path along Townline Road North between Beatrice Street East and Taunton Road East.
The planned path will run for just under one kilometre and provide another option for pedestrians and cyclists in surrounding neighbourhoods.
City of Oshawa capital documents show the path is planned along the west side of Townline Road North and is being coordinated with Regional road work in the area.
The City of Oshawa is contributing $210,000 to the project.
Mayor Dan Carter said the new path will encourage active living, improve connectivity and expand transportation choices for residents.
Federal funding supports active transportation
The federal Active Transportation Fund supports projects such as trails, sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use pathways that allow people to walk, cycle and use other forms of active transportation.
The three Durham trail upgrades are being funded through that program, with federal funding conditional on requirements including applicable environmental assessments and consultation with Indigenous groups.
Once completed, the Ajax and Oshawa paths will add new local connections, while the Durham Meadoway is planned as a much longer east-west active transportation corridor across the urban part of Durham Region.
