City releases draft Budget & Business Plan for 2024

Earlier today, City staff presented the draft 2024 tax-supported operating Budget, which proposes a of 5.76 per cent increase to property taxes, or 2.07% for the City’s portion of the overall tax bill, representing $90 per year for the average household. For more details, read the news release. Residents are encouraged to review the Draft Budget and register to be part of Public Delegations on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024. For details, visit Cambridge.ca/budget.

Council approval addresses safety concerns at Beverly Street underpass

To address pedestrian and cyclist safety concerns at the constrained CP rail overpass, tonight, Cambridge City Council approved the next steps for the Beverly Street underpass project.

As part of the City’s strategic priority to encourage safe and healthy neighbourhoods, the project will include a new pedestrian underpass under CPKC railway, a multi-use trail, intersection improvements at the Samuelson/Beverly intersection, as well as the replacement of watermain, sanitary sewers and storm sewers.

The project has been awarded to Dagmar Construction Inc. at a cost of approximately $11M which was approved by Council as part of the 2023 Capital Budget process. Due to inflation increases over the period of the tender, this includes an additional $1.4M to complete the project. This budget adjustment will be funded from the Development Charges Roadway Reserve Fund, the Capital Works Reserve Fund, the Water Capital Reserve Fund, the Wastewater Capital Reserve Fund and through an increase in funding from the Region of Waterloo.

Construction is expected to be completed by December 2024. The project will require a full road closure, and will be completed in stages, to minimize the closure of Samuelson Street/Beverly Street intersection.

This work will allow for the separation of pedestrians and cyclists from traffic, providing a much safer environment and making alternative transportation options more convenient.