Tragic timing, funding application for Townline repairs on council agenda

Posted January 14, 2013

Tonight's committee of council meeting agenda was posted on the Town's web site Friday afternoon. Included is a report by Deputy CAO Brendan Holly outlining the opportunity to secure up to 90 per cent funding from a provincial government infrastructure program.

Mr. Holly notes the only project on the books far enough along in the planning process that qualifies, are proposed improvements to the Adjala-Tecumseth Townline between the 9th and 11th Line. It is deemed a "carry forward" project whose "design has been substantially completed."

Because it's the boundary line, New Tecumseth looks after the Townline south to the 8th Line, and Adjala-Tosorontio services it from the 8th south to Hwy 9.

Mr. Holly explains that because the deadline for applying was before a scheduled council meeting, that delegated authority was invoked to ensure New Tecumseth met the timelines.

The project involves reconstruction of the roadway to provide a standard platform and repair bridge deficiencies, with the bridge and drain work in the first year, road works in the following years.

"It is believed the next phase of the Adjala-Tecumseth Townline project, which is the two bridges and culvert works, fits the "public health or safety problem" criteria in the application."

This is the same stretch of road, and bridge south of the 11th, that was the scene of Sunday's single vehicle collision which cost three local males their lives. In August 2011, a 42-year-old Alliston man was killed in the same area.

"The construction cost would have to be debentured if it was approved in the 2013 budget deliberations; there are no available funds in the gas tax reserve for this project in 2013," according to Mr. Holly's report. "It would be difficult for the Town to proceed with this project without provincial funding assistance. The EOI that staff submitted requested 90 per cent funding for all of the 2013 works (bridge and drain construction) that are estimated to cost $825,000.00. If our application is approved the Town would have to fund $82,500.00 in 2013.

Consideration was given to applying for funding for the entire construction project, which is estimated to cost $3.75M. It was decided to apply for the first phase of the construction project only, because it would be extremely difficult to complete the entire project work before the end of 2014."

Asked this morning via email, whether yesterday's fatal accident raised this project's level of urgency, mayor Mike MacEachern replied only (at this post) that "our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends after such a tragic loss."

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