It's now up to the local oversize load corridor committee to apply for funding, according to Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey.
The provincial government's online intake for the Canada Infrastructure Program opened Monday.
Earlier in the month, Ontario Infrastructure Minister and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton announced a $30 billion program for road and bridge projects.
The rural and northern stream of the program is now open, giving about 500 Ontario communities with populations under 100,000 eight weeks to apply.
Bailey said he knows Premier Doug Ford supports funding for the long-planned $12 million corridor project.
"I'm confident the corridor's going to go ahead, and I know it's on Minister Monte McNaughton's radar and we've talked about it a lot at Queen's Park," said Bailey. "And I know that the federal officials have it on their radar as well-- I know MP Marilyn Gladu is pushing at the federal level to make sure it's part of that discussion."
During a visit to Sarnia-Lambton last November, Premier Ford said it is extremely important for the area to have a designated road to get trade and commerce moving.
Bailey said that's still the case.
"When [Premier Ford] heard about the repetitive operations where they had to remove hydro lines and traffic lights, he just said, 'Well that doesn't make sense, and it doesn't sound like a very effective way of doing business.' So I know we'll have the Premier's support if it ever gets to there."
Local governments and an industry coalition have committed half of the cost and are moving ahead with the project while efforts continue to secure senior government funding.
Construction of the first of five phases is expected to begin in the summer.
The permanent corridor to truck industrial modules between metal fabrication shops and Sarnia Harbour would require significant road and power line modifications.