Dedicated funding is critical for road infrastructure projects

THORNHILL, ON, Dec. 2, 2013 /CNW/ - The cost to maintain and repair the City of Toronto's aging road infrastructure is estimated to balloon from $950 million to $1.2 billion over the next 10 years.

That is why CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has repeatedly urged the province to play a bigger role in addressing the infrastructure needs in Toronto and right across Ontario through dedicated infrastructure funding.

"Dedicated funding is a vital component to pay for much needed repairs on our deteriorating roads and crumbling bridges," said Faye Lyons, Government Relations, CAA SCO. "Investing in infrastructure will help make our roads and bridges across Toronto safer, and plans recently outlined in the fall Economic Statement would help ensure funds are earmarked for these important projects."

Toronto's aging infrastructure includes 300 kilometres of expressways, 539 bridges and 5,600 kilometres of roads.

From 2011 to 2012, the provincial government collected over $2.3 billion in gas taxes. 

"Drivers are paying the tax every time they fill up at the pumps and they want to see that money reinvested back into road work and repairs," added Lyons.

Currently, the City of Toronto is addressing the needs for streets originally built in the 1950s.

"There are still many roads in Toronto that require resurfacing within the next 15 years. If these roads are not resurfaced, there will be a demand instead for reconstruction which is three times more costly than resurfacing," said Lyons.

Earlier this year, CAA commissioned a report by the Conference Board of Canada, Where the Rubber Meets the Road: How Much Motorists Pay for Infrastructure, which concluded road users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) more than cover the full costs of construction, maintenance and policing.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.9 million members in Canada.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].