Historic Snowstorm Paralyzes Quinte Region as Province Announces Major Infrastructure Investments
BELLEVILLE, January 27, 2026 – The Quinte region is digging out from a record-breaking snowstorm that dropped 37 centimetres of snow on Sunday, prompting multiple municipalities to declare significant weather events. Amid the cleanup, provincial officials announced millions in infrastructure funding for water projects across Hastings County, highlighting the region’s dual challenges of managing extreme weather while planning for future growth.
Unprecedented Winter Weather
The storm that walloped the region on January 25-26 set a new snowfall record for the date, more than doubling the previous record of 16.8 cm set in 2023. Measurements at CFB Trenton confirmed the historic accumulation, which led to widespread cancellations, delayed openings, and a surge in collision responses by Ontario Provincial Police. Both Belleville and Quinte West declared significant weather events under Ontario Regulation 239/02, citing challenging conditions that overwhelmed municipal snow-clearing operations.
Environment Canada maintained various snow squall watches and warnings throughout the event, with East Region OPP reporting over 100 collisions across eastern Ontario during the peak of the storm. School bus services were cancelled across multiple jurisdictions, and Belleville City Hall delayed its opening until 10 a.m. on Monday due to the significant accumulation.
Major Infrastructure Funding Announced
Despite the weather chaos, provincial infrastructure announcements proceeded, with Hastings–Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee revealing more than $5.5 million in water and wastewater funding for Centre Hastings and Tweed. The investments are designed to support housing growth and improve public safety in both communities.
| Project Location | Funding Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Centre Hastings | Up to $4,692,075 | Water infrastructure rehabilitation |
| Quinte West | $16.425 million | Mount Pelion water booster project |
| Stirling-Rawdon | Up to $10,871,798 | Water infrastructure along Belleville Road, East Front Street and North areas |
Belleville’s Development Landscape
Beyond immediate weather concerns, Belleville continues to advance numerous development initiatives aimed at addressing housing needs. The city is implementing zoning changes through By-law 2025-17 and 2025-18 that allow increased residential density along major corridors, permitting townhouses, duplexes, and low-rise apartments in areas previously restricted to single-family homes.
Key projects moving forward include the Hanley Park North Subdivision (103 homes), the 174 Maitland Drive development (97 residential units), and redevelopment of the former Quinte Exhibition fairgrounds property, which recently received $1.25 million in provincial funding through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream. The city has also secured over $10.5 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to support the construction of 259 homes over three years, with a goal of spurring 10,540 homes over the next decade.
Municipal Budget Context
Belleville’s 2025 operating budget totals $226.8 million in gross expenditures, representing a 9.40% increase over 2024. The net property tax supported budget is $138.3 million, with increases attributed to policing costs, fire master plan implementation, housing accelerator fund expenditures, and increased capital contributions to reserve funds. The water levy increased by 2.50% and wastewater by 12.95%, reflecting necessary infrastructure investments.
Police Activity and Community Updates
Local police services remained active throughout the weather event and preceding days. Quinte West OPP reported impaired driving charges following a collision in the east end of Belleville on January 24, while also investigating a serious two-vehicle collision on County Road 4 on January 21. The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce announced its 2026 board of directors following elections at their Q1 member’s meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “significant weather event” declaration?
Under Ontario Regulation 239/02, municipalities can declare significant weather events when conditions are severe enough that normal standards for snow clearing and maintenance cannot be met within typical timelines. This declaration suspends the standard maintenance requirements until the event is declared over.
How does the provincial infrastructure funding support housing growth?
The water and wastewater investments announced by MPP Bresee are considered “housing-enabling” infrastructure. Before new residential developments can proceed, municipalities must ensure adequate water treatment capacity, distribution systems, and wastewater management. These projects directly support the construction of new homes by addressing fundamental service requirements.
What are the key areas for development in Belleville?
Current focus areas include the Bell Boulevard and North Front Street corridors (subject to a comprehensive corridor study), the former fairgrounds site in the west end, and several infill developments throughout the city. The corridor study aims to create vibrant, mixed-use areas with a range of housing types while improving walkability and active transportation connections.