MINTO – The Town of Minto is looking to upgrade Arthur Street W/Highway 23 in Harriston by applying for provincial Connecting Links funding.
Council unanimously approved submitting an application at Tuesday afternoon’s council meeting at the Harriston-Minto Community Complex.
Connecting Links funding helps pay for costs associated with provincial highways that run through towns and are therefore maintained by the municipality.
A report to council recommends applying for funding for improvements to Arthur Street from the westerly town limit to Elora Street North. The east side of Arthur Street/Highway 89 is currently under construction as part of the Connecting Links program.
This isn’t in their current five-year plan but maintenance activities are increasing significantly every year and using staff resources.
“Although total road reconstruction is not required at this time on Arthur St. W, this could be an opportunity to complete resurfacing, stop light upgrades and minor storm improvements as needed to extend the useful life another 15-20 years,” the report said.
The total project cost is $600,000 according to the report. Connecting Links projects are eligible up to 90 per cent of the cost, meaning the town will have to pay at least $60,000.
The town’s contribution can’t come from any other provincial funding source.
Roads Foreman Mike McIsaac said to council that the last time the road had significant work done was in 2007 and the surface is starting to age.
“If we are successful, the primary focus would be resurfacing that section,” McIsaac said to council.
McIsaac also said a road surface with the volume of traffic Arthur Street has would bring 12 to 20 years of useful life. He noted that if the application is unsuccessful, the town would need to do and pay for the work themselves in the future.
He further explained that because no significant infrastructure work is needed, the road should be able to stay open during construction.
Mayor George Bridge said he was pleased to hear that the road can remain open and they should try for funding since they need to do the work anyways.
