When results of the $300-million Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) are announced next month, staff and councillors in Guelph-Eramosa are hoping the 5th Line in Eramosa is on the list of successful applications.
At its last regular meeting in January, council approved a recommendation from Public Works Manager Ken Gagnon to submit an application for two thirds of the funding for a 7.8km stretch of the 5th Line.
Under MIII, municipalities can apply for 100 per cent project funding, but staff decided that by offering to pay one third of the cost, the township would be increasing its chances of success.
The total cost for reconstructing the 5th Line from County Road 24 to County Road 22 is over $1.6-million, and the township will be seeking a grant of $1,080,854.
The township had applied for 100% funding to reconstruct the road early last year under the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative (RIII), but that grant was denied.
However, Gagnon suggested applying again because it is the only project in the township that is construction ready, which is one of the requirements for the MIII funding.
Mayor Chris White said the MIII grant would eliminate the need to borrow money and it also highlights the need to have at least one project in the township “construction ready” at all times, especially with other funding programs coming soon, including the third round of the Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF).
Councillor John Scott asked if a new medical clinic should be added to the list of construction-ready projects.
White replied perhaps, and said that would be up to the economic development committee.
Councillor Reta Moyer wondered about the process of selecting the 5th Line, and asked when potholes on 2nd Line East will be fixed.
Gagnon said technically, the condition of 2nd Line is actually worse than 5th Line, but because of Eramosa Public School traffic and the number of accidents there, 5th Line is the priority.
In addition, Gagnon said, the 5th Line is construction ready and would not meet the requirements for COMRIF funding, whereas the 2nd Line is not ready but would meet COMRIF requirements.
Council unanimously approved a recommendation directing staff to proceed with the funding application.
The deadline for applications is Feb. 15, and municipalities are expected to receive the funding by March 31.
