Federal funding enables City of St. Catharines’ study of Hwy. 406 pedestrian crossing

A $50,000 federal government grant is enabling the City of St. Catharines to study the feasibility of installing a pedestrian and cycling crossing of Hwy. 406 to connect the Glenridge and Merritton neighbourhoods to Burgoyne Woods Park.

The City has hired consultant WSP to conduct the feasibility study as an adjustment to the scope of the City’s Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP). To date, WSP has completed the initial siting review and field investigations.

Next, crossing option types and locations will be presented to the Ministry of Transportation, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, and the public for feedback.

“We appreciate the financial support from the federal government as we work to build out our active transportation network in the City,” St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said. “These dollars will allow us to determine the best way for our residents to access valuable greenspace in our community.”

As announced by Infrastructure Canada in a news release Tuesday night, this City of St. Catharines’ project is one of 50 active transportation planning and design projects across Ontario with investments of more than $2.3 million that the government is supporting through Infrastructure Canada’s Active Transportation Fund.

“I am so excited to announce the federal government’s support for 50 planning and design projects that will lead to more and improved active transportation infrastructure across Ontario,” St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle said, on behalf of Sean Fraser, minister of housing, infrastructure, and communities. “Investments in active transportation are a key part of building strong, connected, and sustainable communities. Bike paths, sidewalks, footbridges, and multi-use trails connect our homes to our communities and beyond, helping to make them the best places to live.”

The City of St. Catharines’ ATMP will guide the growth of physical and social infrastructure to support walking, cycling, wheeling, and rolling within the City.

Goals of the ATMP include creating a safer, more liveable community, providing connections to existing and future active transportation infrastructure and creating equitable and accessible transportation systems for all users.

“This federal government funding builds on the City’s Active Transportation Master Plan,” said Brian Applebee, manager of transportation services. “It is an investment in our commitment to building a healthier, more connected St. Catharines that prioritizes active transportation.”

For more information about the initiatives in the City’s ATMP, visit and subscribe to the project webpage for regular updates at stcatharines.ca/ATMP.