Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier has sent a letter to MPP Patrice Barnes expressing disappointment over the province’s decision to deny funding for the Hunt Street Extension (H-Link project) through the Housing Enabling Core Servicing Fund.
The extension is part of the new vision that the town has for the downtown area, and among other things, it would provide an additional route to access the GO station, which is a congestion hot spot during peak commuter periods.
“This decision represents a significant setback for our efforts to manage rapid growth in our downtown core,” said Collier. “Your government has consistently emphasized the need for municipalities to embrace intensification, yet this project, which directly supports that goal, has been denied funding.”
Collier also highlighted that the Town of Whitby was awarded nearly $20 million for a similar infrastructure project on Columbus Road. While acknowledging the importance of that project, he argued that the H-Link extension would have a greater impact on enabling housing development, reducing living costs, and fostering sustainable growth in Ajax and Durham Region.
The town had planned to combine the HECS funding with an award from the Building Faster Fund to fully cover the project and move forward quickly. “The absence of funding for the H-Link project is a missed opportunity for both the town and the province to invest in a long-term initiative that will benefit our residents and businesses for generations to come,” said Collier.
Collier has urged MPP Barnes and the Minister of Infrastructure to reconsider the decision, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the project for residents and businesses. He stressed that the extension is critical to Ajax’s ability to build a vibrant downtown. “I urge you to work with the minister responsible to reconsider this decision. The Town of Ajax is relying on this extension to create a vibrant, sustainable downtown. Without it, our vision for the future will be much harder to achieve,” said Collier.
The Town of Ajax awaits a response from the province regarding the funding decision and potential next steps.