The MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga says phase one is almost 80 per cent complete

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr. says phase one of the highway expansion is almost complete - about 80 per cent.

Following phase one, he says phase two, which entails designing two bridges that will cross the Grand River, will begin.

Phase three will see a capital plan released from the Ministry of Transportation later this year.

"We have to be very smart about contracts that we proposed under the previous government and the evaluation continues going forward. We're looking forward to hearing some good news in the coming months."

On the other side of the discussion, Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife says, within the 2019 provincial budget there was no dedicated funding for the expansion of Highway 7. She believes the expansion project has been cancelled and changed to a rehabilitation project.

"In fact, it has been several years since there's been clarity about the province's position with regards to the four-laning of Highway 7."

Harris says, the rehabilitation project is completely outside the scope of the new highway.

"This is just refurbishment dollars that have been committed and it has absolutely nothing to do with cancellations or delays."

He also makes it clear that the messages the NDP party are conveying about the expansion are not productive.

"The political posturing that this member and the NDP uses on a very regular basis are not helpful."

Meantime, Fife is concerned about the difference in funding distributed between the GTA and Waterloo Region.

"Certainly, a great deal of funding has been allocated to the Toronto area and the province was very clear about that budget and yet KW still waits for a plan - for a long term infrastructure strategy, and for the investment that's needed to complete that project."