The Ontario government has approved the City of Kawartha Lakes’ funding application for the reconstruction project for King Street in Omemee and will provide up to $3 million from the province’s Connecting Links program.
The funding announcement was made on Thursday (April 21) in downtown Omemee.
“This funding is great news for the community and businesses in Omemee and will provide much needed improvements to local transportation and the streetscape downtown to keep people and goods moving,” said Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott.
The King Street project, which has been part of the City of Kawartha Lakes transportation master plan since 2012, will see a full reconstruction of the road between James Street North and the Pigeon River bridge, including replacements of storm sewers, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and streetscape improvements, as well as resurfacing of the road.
“Today’s announcement is exciting as it continues the momentum we’ve built around our downtowns,” said Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham. “From Lindsay to Fenelon Falls and now Omemee, we’re making our community hubs more accessible and enjoyable to visit. We couldn’t have moved ahead in Omemee without the generous support of the province and our local MPP Laurie Scott.”
Design of the project has been underway since 2020 and was contingent on receiving provincial funding.
“This project means a lot to the people of Omemee,” said Ward 6 councillor Ron Ashmore. “It will make walking, driving, and parking along the Main Street easier and safer. It will also make it more enticing for those who pass through on Highway 7 to stop, stay a while, and support our local businesses. I’m thrilled that the province has assisted council to move forward with the project,”
At a special meeting at the end of November, council approved $1 million contribution to the project from the municipality’s capital contingency reserve, pending the province’s approval of $3 million in funding.
Now that provincial funding has been approved, construction is expected to begin later this spring with a completion date of fall 2022.
During construction, one lane along King Street will be closed. Access to downtown businesses will be maintained, along with as many parking spaces as possible.
VIDEO: Downtown Omemee Reconstruction – Public Information Session #2
