With the cost of municipal road construction skyrocketing, there’s some frustration that the province isn’t paying its fair share.
Chatham-Kent council approved spending $8.7 million at Monday night’s council meeting to rehabilitate Dufferin Avenue in Wallaceburg. The province will kick in $3 million in funding for the project, which is the maximum it will pay through its Connecting Links program.
The Connecting Links program provides funding for up to 90 per cent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $3 million for road projects and $5 million for bridge projects.
Chatham-Kent has unsuccessfully applied for funding in past years to rehab Dufferin Avenue. In 2017, Chatham-Kent looked for the maximum $3 million for the Dufferin Avenue project which then had a price tag of about $6.2 million.
“It’s concerning that (provincial funding) has remained static,” said Wallaceburg councillor Aaron Hall.
“I think it’s important that the province re-evaluate the program,” Hall said, noting construction costs are rising. “The burden continues to fall on the property taxpayers of Chatham-Kent. This will remain an ongoing issue.”
There are plans for the municipality to advocate to the province for increased funding at the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference.
The construction will include new storm sewers, watermains, curbs, sidewalks, traffic signals and pavement rehabilitation.
Construction is planned to begin in June 2023 and be completed by November 2023, with restoration work completed in Spring 2024.
Two lanes of traffic will remain open during the construction and access to Dufferin Avenue businesses and properties will be maintained during construction.
