Municipal officials will be looking into funding sources and detailed costs of maintaining provincial highways across Chatham-Kent.
In 1998, the provincial government transferred 274 km of roadways, including 68 bridges and 322 culverts, to Chatham-Kent with one-time funding of $11 million for over $354 million of assets.
Municipal officials say the value of those assets has risen significantly since that time, as have both the operating and capital repair costs.
South Kent councillor Ryan Doyle has asked administration to create a report on which highways are currently under the care of Chatham-Kent, detail the projected costs to operate the highways, and the cost do capital repairs over the next decade. Doyle would also like the administration to provide recommendations and a financial advocacy plan for council to consider to request funding from the province in its 2026-2027 budget.
The report is expected to be completed by July.