The Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge. /Province of Ontario photo
County Road 49 between Picton and the Bay of Quinte Skyway Bridge – a long-time “worst” ranked road – is getting a significant provincial boost to help with overdue rehabilitation, officials announced Thursday.
“Improving County Road 49 is an important step in supporting the growing number of people who travel to and through Prince Edward County each year,” said Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsop. “Our government’s investment in this rehabilitation project reflects our ongoing commitment to maintain strong, dependable roads across the region.”
While a contract reportedly still needs to be fully finalized, during the announcement Thursday, March 19, 2026, officials cited a provincial investment up to $45 million to support repairs and upgrades for about 18.4 kilometres of the roadway, which the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has previously – and repeatedly over the years – identified as one of the worst roads in the province.
Last year specifically, County Road 49 was ranked as the third-worst road in Ontario in a CAA survey.
Work is supposed to centre on repaving the road surface, new culverts and guiderail improvements, which the province said will support the safe movement of people and goods, while helping to keep thousands of workers on the job in the Southeastern Ontario area.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province is making historic investments in highway infrastructure aimed at tackling road safety and strengthening the economy, and that this rehabilitation project will improve a key gateway in the county, while also supporting good-paying jobs during construction and making it easier for visitors to reach one of the provinces top tourism destinations.
“With the outstanding support of the provincial government, we are finally able to undertake this long overdue once-in-a-generation infrastructure project,” said Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson, who called County Road 49 a vital lifeline in the community that is “key for our long-term economic growth and wellbeing.”
He also thanked the province for helping Prince Edward County move forward with the critical infrastructure project.
The municipality has allocated a reported $7.8 million in their capital budget as well to help rehabilitate the road.
Provincial officials have also noted this latest injection builds off a $63-million rehabilitation bridge project in 2024 and a $2-million boost to the county to rebuild Main Street from County Road 33 to 30 last year.
The Ontario government said this is part of an overall $30-billion investment to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges provincewide as efforts continue to tackle gridlock, shorten travel times and drive economic growth. This also includes monies for a roundabout at Hwy. 62 and County Road 1.
This stretch of road serves as an important link to the region’s wineries, restaurants and other tourist destinations, while also helping connect residents to jobs, healthcare, housing and other essential services, reiterated officials Thursday.
Nadia Todorova, executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, has also commended the province for its investment.
“As the technical partner for CAA’s annual Worst Roads campaign, RCCAO has a strong understanding of the conditions facing roads like County Road 49 and the impacts they have on residents and businesses,” said Todorova. “The challenges associated with deteriorating infrastructure are real and well understood, and the rehabilitation of County Road 49 is both welcome and necessary.”
