Ontario takes over Thousand Islands Parkway maintenance
Province also improving Highway 401 between Mallorytown and Brockville
The Ontario government is taking over direct responsibility for annual maintenance and rehabilitation of the Thousand Islands Parkway to protect local communities from the rising costs of upkeep and ensure the 40-kilometre scenic parkway remains in good repair.
“I am very pleased with the expanded agreement between the Ministry of Transportation and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission,” said the Honourable Bob Runciman, chairperson of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “This agreement will markedly improve the maintenance and operational oversight of the Thousand Islands Parkway and Long Sault Parkway. The enhanced agreement ensures the safety and efficiency of our road infrastructure while enabling the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to reinvest in our parks and historic attractions, benefiting both residents and visitors to our region.”
The transfer of additional maintenance responsibilities and costs from the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will free up critical resources and funds that allow the SLPC to focus on providing a high-quality experience for the millions of commuters, residents and tourists who use it for boating, camping and other activities every year.
“The Thousand Islands Parkway is a landmark destination that countless families, businesses, and tourists rely on to see the best of eastern Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
Under an expanded memorandum of understanding (MOU), MTO will cover maintenance and infrastructure costs and conduct a full review of the Parkway, providing SLPC with recommendations to improve management of the corridor. In addition, the province is working with SLPC on an agreement to provide support for managing the Long Sault Parkway, located between Ingleside and Long Sault.
Additionally, the Ontario government is investing $27.5 million to resurface nearly 17 kilometres of Highway 401 between Mallorytown and Brockville. The investment will also include culvert repairs and replacements, new lighting at the County Road 2 ramp terminals, and rehabilitation of the Mallorytown Road underpass to accommodate the future widening of Highway 401.
GIP Paving Inc. has been awarded a contract to resurface almost 17 kilometres of Highway 401 between Mallorytown Road and the County Road 2 interchange.
Construction is taking place in the eastbound lanes from 4.8 kilometres west of Mallorytown Road to 1.3 kilometres east of Stewart Boulevard, and in the westbound lanes from 3.3 kilometres west of Mallorytown to 1.1 kilometres east of Parkdale Avenue.
The eastern corridor of Highway 401 accommodates approximately 120,000 vehicles and 10,000 trucks carrying $380 million in goods each day. Ontario recently finished work on the Highway 49 Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge and awarded a contract to resurface sections of Highway 401 near Kingston.
