Cestar College has provided the City of Sarnia with another $1 million payment toward the ongoing oversized load corridor project.
The Toronto-based school of business, health, and technology announced a $4 million commitment in 2019. The city has now received a total of $3-million from Cestar.
Cestar College Director Adrian Sharma said the college is honoured to be able to contribute.
"While we have all faced challenging times this year, it brings us great joy that we are able to give back to the City of Sarnia through this donation. It represents the ongoing connection Cestar College has to Sarnia and the value that this relationship has had for the community and the province as a whole," said Sharma. "Our contribution to the Cestar Dock, as part of the Oversized Load Corridor, will stimulate and strengthen Sarnia's economy, infrastructure and surrounding area."
Cestar's donation is being recognized with naming rights to the new dock to be built at the end of Exmouth Street as part of the estimated $17 million project.
The 26.7-kilometre corridor also requires the widening of curbs, raising and burying utility lines, and placing traffic signals on movable swivels.
The route will extend from the Port of Sarnia, to Exmouth Street, Murphy Road, Confederation Line, Blackwell Side Road, Churchill Road, Kimball Road, and out to Brigden.
Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce CEO Allan Calvert said the corridor will increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction for customers right across the world.
"The quicker they can get these modules to the dock, the quicker they get to the end user," said Calvert. "Not only is it saving time and money, but what is paramount is the overall safety of moving such a load and the safety of all of the citizens in this area."
The Ontario government has committed $1.5 million toward the project, the city has pledged $4.7 million, the county $1.2 million, and St. Clair Township, $75,000.
Transport Canada will fund $6 million, and The Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance has pledged $10,000.
Bluewater Power is crediting $2 million to the project for a funding total of nearly $19 million.
Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.