Guelph-Eramosa council has decided to seek over $1.7-million in provincial funding to help reconstruct Guelph Road 1.
On Jan. 7 township officials agreed to submit an application through the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) for 90 per cent of the $1,905,000 total cost for the project.
The work will include reconstructing 2.9km of the road, which is located between Wellington Road 124 and Paisley Road in the southernmost corner of the municipality, just northeast of its border with Waterloo Region.
The project also includes widening the road to meet township standards, paving the shoulders and improving sight lines between Paisley and Fife roads.
Mayor Chris White said there was some debate at last week’s council meeting as to which road the township should seek funding for – Guelph Road 1 or Guelph Road 3.
The application notes Guelph Road 1 is in “deteriorating” shape, with “extensive centre line and pavement edge alligator cracking, as well as longitudinal wheel track cracking.”
White told the Advertiser Guelph Road 3, located about 4km north, is actually in worse condition and the township would prefer to receive funding for that road, but MIII rules stipulate successful projects must be identified as a priority in a previous road needs study.
The mayor explained that while Guelph Road 3 may currently be in worse shape, the township’s previous study identifies Guelph Road 1 as worse off, and thus the priority.
Council voted to apply for funding for Guelph Road 1 and White said the municipality would have to find other sources of funding – possibly including gas tax payments – for Guelph Road 3.
Plan funding
Also at last week’s meeting, staff announced Guelph-Eramosa Township will receive $25,821 in MIII funding towards an asset management plan, which is a requirement under the program for any municipalities wanting to receive capital funding.
Finance manager Linda Cheyne told council she expects the plan to cost $55,990 total, including “software upgrades and professional services.”
She said in her report the remaining $30,169 for the plan could be transferred from working fund reserves. She noted the plan must be completed by the end of the year and suggested the township move forward with the plan, including the reserves transfer, as soon as possible.
Council agreed to the financial details and to proceed with the plan.
