Council here agreed to apply for funding to repair a bridge on the 16th Line under a new provincial infrastructure program.
On Nov. 15, the Ontario government announced a $51-million grant program, the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII), a capital program for roads, bridges, water and wastewater projects. The funding is targeted at projects deemed high priority in municipal asset management plans that would not be completed without provincial financial support. Municipalities have until Jan. 9, to submit an “expression of interest” in the funding program, with a full application process to follow.
Minto treasurer Gordon Duff told council at its Dec. 4 meeting that the 16th line bridge is the “highest priority based on public safety considerations,” among projects currently in the hopper.
“It’s not a major commuter route, but it’s becoming an increasingly busy commuter route,” said Duff.
Duff said design and survey work on the project has already been completed, at a cost of around $30,000. The remainder of the project, $270,000 is eligible for funding of up to 90 per cent under the MIII program.
Duff also advised council he had learned earlier that day the municipality had been successful in obtaining a grant of $24,000 to assist with preparation of Minto’s municipal asset management plan, which he anticipates will cost about $35,000 to complete.
The province is making completion of an asset management plan a condition of future infrastructure funding.
