The City of Cambridge will get $2.067 million from the province to improve water infrastructure in Hespeler as part of major residential development coming to Queen Street West.
In a press release the city says Ontario's Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) supports critical water system upgrades to ensure the needs of a growing community are met while supporting sustainable development.
“We are appreciative of this investment to help support the reconstruction of Queen Street West which is critical in enabling growth and increasing housing density in the community,” said Mayor Jan Liggett in the release.
“Nearly 3,700 new housing units, including 1,886 shovel-ready units, will be created thanks to these essential infrastructure upgrades. It is investments like this that not only strengthen our infrastructure but also support the development and future of Cambridge as a vibrant, growing city.”
The project will focus on increasing water capacity and storm drainage improvements in the immediate project area.
The project is currently in its design phase which will continue through 2025 with construction set to begin in summer 2026.
The city says advancing the project to 2026 lets them to capitalize on the funding opportunity, which covers 73 per cent of the total estimated project cost of $3.2 million.
“This investment in critical water infrastructure is a key step toward ensuring Cambridge can meet the needs of a growing community,’ said Jess Dixon, MPP Kitchener South-Hespeler, in the release.
“By enabling the creation of new housing, projects like this help young people and families access the homes they need, right here in their community. It’s about building opportunities for the next generation to thrive right here at home.”