Antigonish will see upgrades to its transit service and a new residential connecting path thanks to three provincial grants.
Finance and Treasury Board Minister Randy Delorey, on behalf of Energy Minister Michel Samson, announced today, Aug. 26, that two projects will receive funding from the province’s sustainable transportation grant program, Connect2.
“Antigonish has a strong sense of community and these projects help make it easier for residents to connect with each other, local businesses and important services,” said Mr. Delorey. “I am proud to be part of a government that supports these important community transit projects.”
A $4,025 grant from Connect2 and additional funding from the Town of Antigonish, will help build a connecting path between Maple Drive and St. Bean Lane.
“I am very pleased that the province is supporting the development of a neighbourhood connector path in our community,” said Emily Stephenson, active living co-ordinator, Town of Antigonish. “It is this sort of infrastructure development that will help make it easier for our residents to leave their cars at home and use active modes of transportation, such as walking or cycling, to get to their destinations.
“We hope that through projects such as these we can continuously improve the overall connectivity of our community.”
The Antigonish Community Transit Society will receive a $10,000 grant from Connect2 to research, develop and implement enhancements for the transit service.
In addition, Mr. Delorey, on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill, announced that the Antigonish Community Transit Society will receive a $25,000 provincial grant from the Public Transit Assistance Program to upgrade buses, bus shelters and improve service across the area.
“The Department of Energy and Municipal Affairs grants will become vital components of our overall transportation strategy for the Antigonish region,” said Kimberly MacDonald, chair of the Antigonish Community Transit Society. “Our services are expanding to meet the increased demand from community residents. This funding will have a profound and positive impact on our community.”
The Public Transit Assistance Program provides annual grants to help cover the costs of capital assets such as new buses and vans, upgrades to vehicles, bus shelters, and vehicle garages.
More Connect2 projects will be announced in the coming weeks and all will be completed by March 10, 2017. Connect2 aims to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.
For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation/.
Source: Release