Councillors here have decided to approve a road management plan at a cost of $48,000.
Previously council had rejected the plan, citing a lack of information about what makes the new plan different from a similar document prepared by R.J. Burnside and Associates eight years ago.
Last week, Director of Public Works Larry Lynch explained the new report will focus on 15 hard top road condition ratings and eight gravel road condition ratings that are not included in the 2000 report.
“This allows us to work more in a 2008 environment, rather than the paper environment,” Lynch said of the computerized data, which will also make it easier to update the report.
The new report will span 10 years, including a management plan as well as equipment and maintenance costs, whereas the old document covered just a five year period.
Furthermore, Lynch said the older document included a cursory review of bridges, while the new one will not because structures were last reviewed in 2006.
“My feeling is it also takes advantage of the knowledge of staff,” Lynch said.
He concluded by saying the new study will help the township deal with immediate needs sooner, and will also facilitate better planning for future projects.
Lynch had previously told council the 2000 roads study is so outdated it has now become obsolete. He has also said the $48,000 price tag for the new document is relatively cheap considering the length of the study and the amount of information it will unveil.
Council unanimously approved proceeding with the new road study (councillor Bruce Whale was absent).
