During a council and staff working session on Thursday, Prince Edward County council discussed road upkeep as part of the upcoming asset management plan.
Staff presented details to council for upcoming roadwork budgets, with some options for how much to budget towards the roads.
The first option would keep the roads in the best possible shape, and would have a total cost of $25,100,000 each year. This option would keep all the roads in the county in reasonable condition, and avoid any roads deteriorating to the point where major repairs are needed.
A second option was presented that would keep the roads in better shape than they are currently, but not in perfect condition, with a reduced yearly cost of $20,582,000. This option would allow some roads to deteriorate more severely, before needed repairs are carried out, but would still keep the overall quality of roads in the county higher than it is now.
Councillor Chris Braney said that the information provided by staff was very valuable.
“This is a start, and it’s a start in the right direction,” said Councillor Braney. “It’s outlining the good, bad and the ugly, but what it’s going to enable us to do is to communicate with our residents and and be able to decipher between needs and wants.”
No decisions were made during the working session, and the roadwork plans are set to return to council at future meetings.
