It doesn’t look like Puslinch will get compensation to repair roads that were damaged as a result of highway traffic being directed onto township roads.
On March 21 Highway 6 was closed in Puslinch following an accident and traffic redirected onto local municipal roads for several hours.
Puslinch director of finance Mary Hasan indicated the municipality is now facing a $21,500 bill for temporary and permanent repairs to local roads. As a result, the township petitioned the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for compensation.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott lent his voice to the cause. In his letter to West Regional MTO director Ann Baldwin, Arnott stated, “If there isn’t a program to cover these kinds of situations, there should be.”
He added that while the accident took place on Highway 6 south of Morriston, “I must take this opportunity to again make reference to the need for the Highway 6 Morriston bypass. For years now, I have called on the Minister of Transportation to place the Highway 6 Morriston bypass project on to the Ministry’s Southern Highways Program, the Ministry’s five-year investment plan in highway construction for Southern Ontario. My Private Member’s Resolution is the very first one on the Legislature’s Order Paper. The council and staff of the Township of Puslinch built a strong case and have worked very hard to encourage the minister to make this project a priority as well.”
Baldwin’s response offered empathy – not dollars. She stated the OPP has the authority to close the highway as required. Typically, the highway is closed by police at the closest interchanges or intersections.
“We understand the concerns you have raised, however, the ministry is not in a position to provide funding for municipal road repairs,” said Baldwin. She suggested the municipality might consider applying for an infrastructure grant.
