Smiths Falls receives $1.8 million Connecting Links grant

Director of Public Works Troy Dunlop was “very pleased to report that we received $1.8 million towards construction of key elements in Beckwith Street Phase Two” via the 2021-2022 Connecting Links grant program. 

During Monday night’s virtual Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Dunlop explained that Minister of Transportation Carolyn Mulroney contacted the town to share the good news. He outlined that the funds designated for Phase Two will include new “storm sewers, roadway curbs, accessibility upgrades, and the traffic signals at Elmsley Street.”

Councillor Peter McKenna noted that Smiths Falls can count itself lucky as only 14 communities received this grant: “we’re very fortunate and thank the provincial government for that investment in our community.”

This is great news for Smiths Falls; the grant will allow for the necessary repairs to our crumbling infrastructure beneath the street. Phase Two will also see an updated design on the surface of Beckwith Street from North Elmsley to Russell Street, to match the redesign that was completed on the south end of Beckwith Street in 2020.

Next steps should happen “very soon,” said Dunlop.

Article by Janelle Labelle

Author: Hometown News