Council drives more funding into roads and drainage

And, this financial year, even more money will be spent on improving our region.

Roads and Water Infrastructure Committee Chairman, Councillor Phil Pidgeon, said council has increased funding for roads and drainage in the 2016/2017 Annual Budget – which is $4.8 million more than the $75.2 million allocated in the last financial year. 

“The three biggest projects we’ve had in the last financial year have been the Chambers Flat Road and Teviot Road upgrades, and the replacement of Darcy Edmunds Bridge,” he said.

“Greenbank Road has been another one, and with the budget we have set aside this year, we’re looking to start more and finish the current ones off.”

Some of the money, allocated in the 2016/2017 Annual Budget, will go towards replacing the Miller Road Bridge at Logan Village.

The New Beith Road at North MacLean and Chardon Bridge Road at Cedar Creek will also be improved.

Councillor Pidgeon said 190 bus stops, across the region, will be upgraded throughout the year as well.

“50 percent of the money council invests goes into building and reconstructing new roads, and the other 50 percent of the money goes towards extending the life of existing roads,” he said.

“There’s going to be a fair bit of inconvenience in every project, but at the end of the day, we’re going to have better and safer roads because of it.”

Councillor Pidgeon advised residents eager to enquire about future or current upgrades to their area to contact council.

“People get annoyed when roadworks and upgrades get delayed, and don’t actually see the work that goes on behind the scenes,” he said.

"Putting a road base down and compacting bitumen is a very quick process; but, it’s all the preparation work leading up to the project that chews up the time.

“All I ask residents to do is to be patient and understand that council is trying to do the best it can.”