Today, Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development, His Worship Matthew Shoemaker, Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, and Beverley Barber, Chair of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, announced a federal investment of more than $1.2 million to support two active transportation projects.
Funding will be used to support the construction of the Hiawatha Highlands & Conservation Area Connector Trail. Linking downtown Sault Ste. Marie with the Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area, Wishart Park and Kinsmen Park, the new multi-use path will provide residents with a safer active transportation option separated from local roadways. The scenic, five-kilometre multi-use path will connect users to some of the most visited outdoor recreation areas in the city.
The second project involves upgrading about 1.4 kilometres of sidewalks to multi-use paths along and connecting to the John Roswell Hub Trail. This investment will support upgrades along sections of Albert Street West, Carmen's Way, Second Line, Peoples Road, and Mark Street. Completion of this project will help to close gaps in the City's active transportation network by providing wider, paved pathways that will meet the growing demand for active mobility.
This new active transportation infrastructure will better connect residents to community centres, park spaces, wooded areas, playgrounds and greenspace. A more comprehensive active transportation network will make Sault Ste. Marie more affordable and accessible, making the community a more attractive destination for tourists and a greater place to live, work and raise a family.
Funding announced today contributes to Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy by supporting activities that will help expand networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.
