There will be no shortage of projects the City of North Bay can apply to as it determines what projects to submit under the joint federal-provincial multi-billion dollar infrastructure program.
The program is broken into four sections spread across 10 years and the first phase deals with road, bridge, air and marine projects.
When it comes to roads and bridges, Mayor Al McDonald says many projects fit the bill.
“You can pick almost any road that has old infrastructure underneath it,” he said.
“Lakeshore Drive comes to mind and the bridge by the West Ferris Legion needs attention.”
The city has earmarked $3.6 million in roadwork this year plus $600,000 for work to be carried out on Peninsula Road.
Even though the city will likely qualify for joint government funding, it’s McDonald’s recommendation that council “not cut back on the spending that was approved for roads”.
He says the additional federal-provincial money the city receives under the program can be divided among other priority projects.
The Mayor believes the city could easily spend triple the amount it’s allocated for roads this year adding there’s a lot of resurfacing that needs to be done.
Another project city council might be able to submit is work for the King’s Landing Wharf.
Council has debated for years on how to rehabilitate the facility which is described as being in poor condition.
A report from 2011 indicated that repairs to King’s Landing would cost about $2.5 million.
With marine infrastructure included as part of the first phase for funding, McDonald says staff is getting clarification to see if King’s Landing Wharf qualifies for funds.
“We don’t have an answer back yet,” he said.
Requests for funding approval for first phase projects need to be into the provincial government by about mid-May.
Council is expected to get a report soon from city hall staff on which projects should be pursued.
The infrastructure program commits the provincial and federal governments to about $10-billion each over 10 years.
Municipalities can dip into the program as long as they agree to pay for one-third of the total cost of the project or projects.
