It was a no-brainer kind of decision for Brighton council last night (Monday) as it quickly decided to approve applying for federal/provincial infrastructure funding to move the Highway 401 Emergency Detour Route north of the 401.
Now, when the 401 is closed the EDR runs along Old Highway 2, straight through the downtowns of Brighton and Colborne.
Tonight (Tuesday), Cramahe Township council will decide on joining in the application for funding and if it approves, Northumberland County council will vote on also joining the partnership at a special meeting Thursday.
Mayor of Brighton Brian Ostrander says upgrading Telephone Road to be able to handle heavy transport traffic through Brighton and Cramahe is the best way to go for an Emergency Detour Route.
If all partners agree to go for it, they will apply for senior government funding totalling just over $11 million on the $13.4 million project to upgrade Telephone Road.
Northumberland County, Brighton, and Cramahe Township would share the rest of the cost.
After the upgrade is complete, the County would assume the cost of maintenance.
