County Road 40 bridge. /City of Quinte West photo
Officials with the City of Quinte West are gearing up for the 2026 Good Roads Conference and have a lengthy list of priorities they’re hoping to address with provincial leaders.
The conference is taking place in Toronto from March 29 to April 1, and the city has secured a delegation with the Ministry of Transportation to discuss four key infrastructure and transportation priorities.
City officials say Hwy. 401 expansion will be one area of focus, with representatives calling for an update on provincial timelines for the expansion in Eastern Ontario, including the sequencing of work in Quinte West.
County Road 40 bridge replacement is another priority as the city is proceeding with plans to replace the bridge and hopes to secure provincial funding to support the project.
VIA Rail service and advocating for the permanent retention and enhancement of service along the Cornwall to Toronto corridor is also on the agenda.
“Quinte West is seeking to partner with the province to engage the federal government and emphasize the importance of maintaining service along this corridor, including the Trenton Junction,” say officials.
Finally, provincial highway downloading will also be addressed.
“City representatives will raise concerns regarding the long-term impacts of provincial highway downloads to municipalities.”
Officials note since these transfers, municipalities have faced ongoing challenges in maintaining former provincial highways, which are often used by non-local traffic and serve as detour routes during Hwy. 401 closures.
“Working collaboratively with our provincial partners is essential to addressing the needs of our growing community,” adds the city’s CAO Chris Angelo. “The Goods Roads Conference provides a valuable opportunity to have meaningful discussions that move Quinte West’s priorities forward.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
