Owen Sound has applied for funding for two major infrastructure projects on the edges of the city. The city has made one Connecting Link funding application for an almost $1.4 million project to rehabilitate the pedestrian tunnel on the CP rail trail under 16th Street East (Highway 26) on the city’s east side, and another for a $3 million rehabilitation project on 9th Avenue East (Highway 6/10) from Superior Street to 6th Street East on the city’s southeast. Director of public works Lara Widdifield said Monday that both projects have been identified in the city’s capital forecast, but will not go ahead unless grant funding is secured. For the pedestrian tunnel project, the city is requesting the Ministry of Transportation fund just over $1.25 million, which is 90 per cent of the project, while for the 9th Avenue East rehabilitation, the city is requesting the province to fund $2.7 million, which is also 90 per cent of the expected overall cost. “Fingers crossed we have successful results,” Widdifield said. The pedestrian tunnel under 16th Street East was constructed by the MTO in 2005, and is made of reinforced precast concrete structures with waterproofing membranes. While it has been rated in good condition, the membrane has likely failed, or is in poor condition, which will lead to a more rapid deterioration of the structure, Widdifield said in her report. The city is planning to rehabilitate 9th Avenue East from Superior Street to 10th Street East in three phases. The city is applying for grant funding for the road work associated with Phase 1 of the project, as additional infrastructure work such as watermains, sewers, sidewalks, landscaping and traffic signals are not eligible for the grant. The additional non-eligible costs are estimated at more than $2.7 million water revenues, wastewater revenues, property taxes and reserves, the report stated. The MTO launched the 2024-25 intake of its Connecting Link funding program in late August and is providing $30 million to support municipalities with the construction and repair of roads and bridges on connecting links. The city has three roadways that are connecting links – 9th Avenue East from Superior Street to 10th Street East, 16th Street East from 9th Avenue East to 28th Avenue East and 10th Street between 9th Avenue East and 9th Avenue West. “I think anytime that we can utilize grant funding from other sources and other levels of government is a positive,” said Coun. Travis Dodd. “If we can get 90 per cent to get these projects completed I think is a great thing.” The application deadline for the funding program is Nov. 22, with successful applicants to be notified in spring.