Cycling trails expected to be top priority in Toronto bid for federal cash http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2016/04/19/cycling-trails-could-be-toro...

It's expected to be the city's first official request for a slice of the $60 billion in new infrastructure funding.

Cycling and active transportation projects are expected to be among the city's first request for federal infrastructure money.

Councillors are planning to ask the federal government for funding to extend the West Toronto Railpath and improve the East Don Trail.

It’s expected to be the city’s first official request for a slice of the $60 billion in new infrastructure funding promised by the new Liberal government, said Coun. Jaye Robinson, chair of council’s public works and infrastructure committee.

Both projects are part of a larger plan to improve Toronto’s network of multi-use trails. The federal government has made it clear there will be money available for green infrastructure projects, said Robinson.

“We’re ready to roll these out, but the issue is we don’t have the funding to do it,” Robinson said. “We have a great vision and ideology about active transportation in our city, but the funding seems to perpetually be the hold up.”

City officials aren’t clear yet on the process of applying to get money, but Robinson has introduced a council motion aimed at allowing the city to get a jump on the process.

“We want to hit the ground running on these discussions and make sure we’re front and centre on this issue and not being overlooked,” she said.

The Liberal government’s pledge for new infrastructure spending extends over 10 years and is on top of on top of the commitments made by the previous government.

It starts with $5 billion over five years for necessary upgrades to municipal water and “green” infrastructure projects that can be implemented quickly. The government has promised to cover 50 per cent of most project requests.

*About the projects*

— The West Toronto Railpath Extension is a planned multi-use trail that connects the existing West Toronto Railpath from Dundas Street West, along the Kitchener GO rail line, to Fort York. It would cost $23 million and construction is scheduled to start next year, but the city hasn’t found the money to pay for it yet.

— The East Don Trail project would link existing trails in the Don Valley, giving more people access to the valley’s trail network. It will cost $26 million and is also unfunded.