Amherstburg has received $97,259 to pave two bike trails on Alma St. and County Rd. 20.
The money comes from the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program, but the town can also recoup 40% of the cost through the County Wide Active Transportation System.
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo hopes to get the work on Alma between Fryer St. and Meloche Rd., and on County Rd. 20 between Dalhousie St. to Front Rd. S. started soon. He says the timelines to qualify for the funding do not leave the municipality with much time.
"Most of these things have a pretty tight guideline. I believe this one is a couple of years," he says. "We have to move generally pretty quick to meet all the timelines and ensure we can keep all the money they give us."
DiCarlo admits some may question why the town is spending money on bike paths instead of roads, but he says it is not a question of one or the other.
"There's always that initial reaction of could we have spent the money somewhere else," says DiCarlo. "Of course, what's funny is once it's built and everybody's using them it's a lot of positive feedback."
The project on Alma St. will cost over $487,000, while the one on County Rd. 20 will cost $500,000.