Wellington North, Minto to receive Connecting Link funding from province
PERTH-WELLINGTON – Minto and Wellington North will receive a share of $4.7 million in Connecting Links infrastructure funding announced on July 8 by Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae.
The funding, provided by the Ministry of Transportation, will support a detailed design for the reconstruction of Arthur Street West (Highway 23) in Harriston and aid in the resurfacing of Main Street (Highway 6) in Mount Forest.
It will also help cover the reconstruction of Huron Street (Highway 8) in Stratford, from Matilda Street to John Street.
“Maintaining and building new roads are essential to connect our rural communities,” Rae said.
“They are vital pieces of infrastructure for commuters, health care services providers, and getting our goods to domestic and international markets.
“I will continue to work with our municipal partners to advocate for our rural municipal councils to ensure they receive their fair share of provincial infrastructure funding.”
Stratford is to receive $3 million, Wellington North $1.65 million and Minto $141,000.
The funding is being delivered through the province’s Connecting Links program. A connecting link is a designated municipal road or bridge that connects two ends of a provincial highway through a community, or to an international border crossing.
This year, the Ontario government is spending $45 million on 29 projects to repair roads and bridges in 27 municipalities across the province.
“Over the next decade, our government is investing nearly $28 billion into highway infrastructure that will support our growing population and fuel our economy as we fight back against U.S. tariffs,” stated transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria in a press release.
“We will continue to protect Ontario by supporting our municipal partners and delivering on our promise to make our province more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant.”
Guelph will receive $3 million for phase four of the reconstruction of York Road (Highway 7), from Watson Parkway to the eastern city limit. Last month, York Road was named one of the worst roads in the region by CAA .
Eligible costs for Connecting Links include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of designated municipal roads and bridges.
Provincial officials say municipalities are encouraged to apply for 2026-27 Connecting Links program funding when the intake opens later this year.
