Meaford council has passed a recommendation to send an application to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to receive funding for the Sykes Street North Rehabilitation project.
During its Committee of the Whole meeting on Nov. 1, a recommendation was brought forward from Meaford Acting Treasurer Valerie Manning suggesting the municipality send in an application for the 2022/2023 Connecting Links program.
The $30 million program provides funding to municipalities to pay for construction and repair costs for connecting links, municipal roads which connect communities to provincial highways and border crossings.
The report notes, the MTO initially contacted the municipality about this opportunity back on Sept. 10.
A structure near the intersection of Sykes Street North and Cook Street, was identified in the 2021 Ontario Structure Inspection Manual Report for rehabilitation work to be done within the next three to five years, costing $598,000.
If the municipality receives funding, it would assist in covering 90 per cent of the costs, to a maximum of $3 million for road rehabilitation project costs, or a max of $5 million for bridge projects.
The project is separated into two phases, whereas the engineering design would be completed in 2022, and the construction in 2023.
To meet 90 per cent of the covered costs, Meaford will be sending in a request for just over $538,000, with the remaining amount to be covered by the tax supported budget.
The 3.45 kilometres of roadway from Sykes Street North and South between Ford Avenue, and the MTO Operations Yard East of St. Vincent Street, has been deemed Meaford’s connecting link to Highway 26, which include three bridges/culverts.
The funding from the program would be able to cover the costs for a range of capital projects, which would include bridge replacements, pavement rehabilitation, storm sewer construction, and intersection improvements. It will not cover the replacement or rehabilitation of water, wastewater or sidewalk infrastructure however.
When the construction begins in 2023, it is anticipated at least one lane of traffic might still be open, however, that will be decided during the design and tender preparation portion in 2022.
Coun. Paul Vickers voiced his support of seeking funding from the MTO, noting when there are funds available, they have to go for it.
“The downtown has suffered somewhat over the years, but there isn’t a better way of doing it. So if we don’t take advantage of these connecting links programs, we could actually fund it completely on our own,” says Vickers.
