A multi-million dollar plan to pave more of Chatham-Kent’s gravel roads sooner is moving forward.
The acceleration plan for CK’s Gravel Road Conversion Program was approved during last week’s council meeting.
Under the current budget, Chatham-Kent planned to pave roughly two to three kilometres of gravel road each year. The acceleration plan will see that rate increased to around 11 to 18 kilometres annually between 2027 and 2029.
Chatham-Kent currently has approximately 1,624 kilometres of gravel roads.
Around $33 million will need to be budgeted for the program, which has been referred to the 2026 Operating and Capital Budget update, along with future capital budget processes. If approved during budget deliberations, the program would result in a tax impact of approximately 0.164 per cent each year from 2026 to 2029.
Council has authorized municipal staff to proceed with debenture financing as required.
According to CK administration, completing the program over three to four years instead of 15 years would avoid escalating annual construction costs due to inflation and would deliver an improved level of service sooner.