Ontario takes over Thousand Islands Parkway maintenance

Key Takeaways:

• The Ontario government is assuming responsibility for the maintenance of the Thousand Islands Parkway, relieving the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) of associated costs. This allows the SLPC to focus resources on improving parks, trails, campsites, and other amenities for residents, commuters, and tourists.
• Ontario is investing $27.5 million to resurface 17 kilometers of Highway 401 between Mallorytown and Brockville, including culvert repairs, lighting upgrades, and underpass rehabilitation. These improvements prepare for the future widening of Highway 401 and enhance safety and efficiency in the region’s infrastructure.
• The Thousand Islands Parkway and Highway 401 improvements ensure continued support for eastern Ontario’s tourism and transportation needs, accommodating significant daily traffic and facilitating access to the region.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is taking over direct responsibility for annual maintenance and rehabilitation of the Thousand Islands Parkway to protect local communities from the rising costs of upkeep and ensure the 40-kilometre scenic parkway remains in good repair.

The transfer of additional maintenance responsibilities and costs from the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is intended to free up critical resources and funds.

“The Thousand Islands Parkway is a landmark destination that countless families, businesses, and tourists rely on to see the best of eastern Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “That is why we are stepping up our support for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission so that they can focus more of their resources on restoring trails, campsites, and other amenities, improving the visitor experience for everyone.”

Under an expanded memorandum of understanding (MOU), MTO will cover maintenance and infrastructure costs and conduct a full review of the Parkway, providing SLPC with recommendations to improve management of the corridor. In addition, the province is working with SLPC on an agreement to provide support for managing the Long Sault Parkway, located between Ingleside and Long Sault.

“I am very pleased with the expanded agreement between the Ministry of Transportation and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission,” said the Honourable Bob Runciman, chairperson of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “This agreement will markedly improve the maintenance and operational oversight of the Thousand Islands Parkway and Long Sault Parkway. The enhanced agreement ensures the safety and efficiency of our road infrastructure while enabling the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to reinvest in our parks and historic attractions, benefiting both residents and visitors to our region.”

Additionally, the Ontario government is investing $27.5 million to resurface nearly 17 kilometres of Highway 401 between Mallorytown and Brockville. The investment will also include culvert repairs and replacements, new lighting at the County Road 2 ramp terminals, and rehabilitation of the Mallorytown Road underpass to accommodate the future widening of Highway 401.

“Today’s announcement ensures the Thousand Islands Parkway will remain a vital link connecting visitors to one of Ontario’s most renowned tourist destinations – the world famous 1000 Islands,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “This will allow the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to focus resources on its parks, campgrounds, and other attractions that play an important part in our region’s tourism economy and the quality of life our residents enjoy. I also welcome today’s investment of $27.5 million for improvements to Highway 401 as we continue to prepare for the future expansion of the highway.”

The eastern corridor of Highway 401 accommodates approximately 120,000 vehicles and 10,000 trucks carrying $380 million in goods each day. Ontario recently finished work on the Highway 49 Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge and awarded a contract to resurface sections of Highway 401 near Kingston.