The last piece of the funding puzzle to build Kingston’s much-touted third bridge crossing could be put in place today.

The mayor and other officials are tight-lipped in advance of a 10 am news conference at Kingston City Hall described as an “important infrastructure event.”

Kingston and The Islands MP Mark Gerretsen, local MPP Sophie Kiwala and Mayor Bryan Paterson are all expected to attend the February 21 announcement.

Mayor Paterson would not speculate on whether it involves a federal funding commitment to the third bridge project.

“That’s obviously something I can’t confirm. It’s not my announcement. Stay tuned, I think it should be a memorable morning.”

However, it’s been no secret that Kingston has actively lobbied Ottawa for its $60 million share of the $180 million multi-use bridge, connecting John Counter Blvd. and Gore Road over the Cataraqui River, that’s designed to ease traffic congestion on the LaSalle Causeway.

About 23,000 vehicles cross Kingston’s LaSalle Causeway daily

The city has already set aside its $60 million share and the province put in another $60 million last year. A formal grant application was submitted last summer and is now being reviewed by Infrastructure Canada.

The mayor says it’s a federal government announcement that’s being made and he’s just been invited to attend.

“We’ve made it clear that crossing is a bridge that would benefit residents and commuters across the city. There’s a tremendous need for it but it can’t go ahead without $60 million in federal funding.”

Mayor Paterson also indicated that the groundwork to begin construction of Kingston’s biggest ever infrastructure project is getting to a critical stage.

“The whole business plan does require we get shovels in the ground in 2019.”

Councillors conditionally approved the 1.1 kilometre long bridge last year – touted as the city’s largest infrastructure project in modern times – on the condition that each level of government will contribute one-third share of funding.

City engineers say several preliminary steps are being taken in advance of a potential federal grant including developing a design-build procurement model, assembling a project implementation team and governance structure, and drafting a request for proposals. The city says getting a letter in principle from the federal government, which hasn’t arrived yet, would allow the project to begin incurring eligible costs without a signed agreement in place.

“It is important to note that the preparatory work is limited in nature and will not bind the municipality to award a contract for the final design and construction of the project in the event that the grant funding for the project is not secured,” said Mark Van Buren, the senior manager and engineer who’s been overseeing the bridge prep work.

Supporters say the two lane bridge – plus a four-metre wide multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists – will benefit the entire city.

Officials say the city’s $60 million bridge funding share includes $30 million from local development charges that have been collected since 1999, plus $15 million in infrastructure money that’s already set aside, and another $15 million through long-term debt financing.

A cost-benefits analysis suggested the bridge will produce benefits such as reduced commuting times and congestion, less pollution and enhanced transit activity.

It’s estimated the bridge will draw 70-percent of its users from Highway 401 and 30-percent from the causeway.

If all the funding is in place, a design-build team will then be chosen to begin construction next year and have the bridge finished by 2022.