Work on the Third Line bridge here will proceed with the aid of a $100,000 grant from the province.
Treasurer Gordon Duff advised Minto council at the March 4 meeting the town’s application for the funds, representing just under half the $205,000 estimated cost of the project, was approved by the province on Feb. 24.
Although no official announcement of funding through the Small Rural and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund – Capital Program has been made, Duff told council authorization of an agreement to transfer the funds was required right away.
“We need to sign it and send it back by March 14,” he explained.
Duff noted the bridge project was the top priority identified in a roads and bridges needs study conducted for the municipality by Triton Engineering. “We would either be posting it (as closed or load restricted) or paying for it ourselves,” he stated.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell asked if the town applied for only 50 per cent of the funding because that was the maximum under the program.
“No. We could have asked for 100 per cent. This was kind of a tactical decision … I think this was a case where that’s one of the factors that we did get approved,” said Duff.
Mayor George Bridge agreed, saying, “Strategic planning and only asking for half and showing we had a commitment for the other half is maybe why we got it.”
He added, “I believe we were the only successful candidate in Wellington County and a lot of people put in for it.”
Duff said the work would be tendered out.
