With almost every single project approved by Timmins city council, all the critics and naysayers come out and question why the money isn’t being spent to improve roads.

Well, to those critics and naysayers, it’s that time of year and council is looking to spend even more dollars on roads in 2017.

In fact, if all goes according to plan, the city will spend $13.7 million dollars this upcoming year on roads.

That’s an increase from the $10.9 million budgeted for 2016.

And if the government turns down funding requests, the city is fully committing to a maximum 60% of that spending—which works out to be around $8 million dollars.

The big item out of it all is obvious.

Phase 2 of the Connecting Link construction would see work done between Rea Hill easterly to where Phase 1 ended just a couple months ago.

Another is to pave McBride Street, as the new Bucket Shop location will open in the new year.

The paving work will provide direct access to McBride via Riverside Drive.

Director of Public Works Luc Duval also made note that the city is around $4.5 million dollars short of annual funding to maintain asphalt infrastructure.

Councillor Andre Grzela adds without adding funds or making cuts, many roads will go without work.

“You think our roads are bad now,” he said, “If we keep going down this road…it’s going to be worse.  I think we have to make serious changes and real discussions now, so we’re not there (down the road), in a really big pothole.”

CLICK HERE to see the full proposal.

 

 

 

Filed under: Local News