MORRISBURG – A complete reconstruction of Ontario Street in Morrisburg is the only major road work project planned for this year.
South Dundas chief administrative officer and treasurer Shannon Geraghty told council that there have been about 16 water breaks on that street over the last two years.
Director of transportation Jeff Hydman estimated that one of the latest breaks cost the municipality about $20,000 to repair.
Minor breaks cost a minimum of about $2,000 each to repair.
“That street needs a complete rehabilitation, from the ground up,” said Hyndman. That would include water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and paving.
The project cost is estimated at $1.3 million.
South Dundas has $280,000 worth of Clean Water and Waste Water Infrastructure Funding available for this project, that must be used before March 31, 2020.
“If we don’t use those funds, we would have to return them to the province,” said Geraghty.
Council approved moving ahead with the project.
“It needs to be done. It won’t fix itself,” said deputy mayor Kirsten Gardner.
“That’s pretty well the whole roads budget on one road,” said councillor Archie Mellan.
“Streets in the village cost more,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.
“That’s a lot of money on one kilometre of road,” said Mellan.
“But look at the concentration of people on that street,” said Gardner.
South Dundas councillor Lloyd Wells suggested that this project should go to tender as soon as possible to get the best possible pricing.
“Let’s go ahead and do it,” said South Dundas councillor Donald Lewis.
“I have a hard time putting all the eggs in one basket, but if that’s how you have to carry the eggs to the barn, then do it and drive on,” agreed councillor Mellan.
Geraghty pointed out they have to do that street to use the funding which is locked in for that project. Funding for the water and sewer portion of the project will be funded through the water and sewer budget.
At the February 14 budget meeting South Dundas council granted pre-budget approval to the project to allow staff to put the project to tender as soon as possible.
“We’re hoping for construction in late summer with completion by fall,” said Geraghty.
With a roads needs study taking place this year, council plans to use that information to decide on priority roads projects for future years.
Friday there was a water break on Victoria Park Crescent that South Dundas roads crews were attending to. Geraghty said that the adjoining crescent will not be part of the Ontario Street reconstruction project.
“We will have to keep an eye on that area, since that infrastructure is all from the same era,” he said.
