Council in Prince Edward County has changed their minds when it comes to a potential $5 million in grant funding.
At their council meeting on Tuesday night at Shire Hall, council defeated their original motion to see staff apply for a federal grant for infrastructure work.
Councillor Ernie Margetson brought forth the motion to see Closson Road, the road reconstruction project council supports, for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Council cited the impact on the economy and tourism if Closson Road was reconstructed. The cost was also a big factor, as this project would see a municipal contribution of $708,475 versus a $4.6 million municipal contribution.
Director of Community Development and Strategic Initiatives Neil Carbone said staff chose the project they believed fit the criteria best but there was a good argument for Closson Road as well.
Councillor Kate McNaughton said she felt more inclined to see this project go forward over the County Road 4 project.
Closson Road has been identified in the capital plan for reconstruction in 2022. Although the estimated cost of this project (approx. $2.75 million) is below the maximum funding they are eligible to receive, the immediate proximity of County Road 2 could be combined with Closson Road to create a single project.
Director of Development Services Peter Moyer said during the April 11 Committee of the Whole meeting that part of County Road 4, through the swamp area, was resurfaced two years ago as a “stop-gap” to extend the life of the road until proper road rehabilitation could occur. This resurfacing has already begun to deteriorate and there are various sections which are now quite poor.
Councillor Ernie Margetson made an amendment during that meeting to see staff apply for the grant with the Closson Road and County Road 2 project instead, citing the cycling tourism that road sees and he said it would make for a more enjoyable overall experience, but it was defeated.
McAuley says they may have identified a way to buy the municipality time if the grant application is denied.
He says they are looking at a ground asphalt and grading solution that would buy the municipality time and would prevent them from going to a gravel road, which he stated brings other problems.
McAuley said by the end of May, staff would know if the stars would align to try this new solution and they need a road to try it on and Closson would be ideal.
Councillor Phil St-Jean said while he is ashamed of that road, he felt County Road 4 was still the most appropriate project.
Councillor Brad Nieman wanted to know what would happen if the Closson Road project didn’t get the grant funding. He said in a year or two, that project could be double the cost to repair.
Prince Edward County Councillor Ernie Margetson.
Councillor Margetson said that for him, it came down to the money, because if the Closson Road project were approved they could get the maximum in grant support, while if County Road 4 was approved they would have to come up with $4.6 million.
Mayor Steve Ferguson felt he could support the switch based on fairness and knowing Closson Road was committed to years previous but it never materialized.
He said if they weren’t successful there is a backup plan available.
Staff believed the County Road 4 project was best suited to ICIP funding requirements as well as the County’s own priorities for road and bridge rehabilitation. This is due to the high traffic counts of 4,000 plus cars per day and the deterioration of the County Road 4 bridge, as well as the perceived number of collisions that have occurred on this road compared to other eligible projects.
Closson Road and County Road 2 also see considerable cycling traffic, which is considered important in the technical schedule of the ICIP funding application. However, there have been few perceived collisions and much lower traffic counts which are important eligibility factors.
Council defeated the original motion with a 7-6 vote and voted in favour of applying for the grant for Closson Road instead, which was approved by the same vote.
Council has until May 14 to apply for the grant.
You can find the original story here.
