by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The County of Renfrew is investing just over $2 million in road construction in Whitewater Region this year.
Steve Boland, the county’s public works manager, spoke to council about the three contracts awarded for four roads on which work will be completed..
He noted the tenders went out early this year and because of that, the county received “exceptional pricing.”
The project for Queens Line and Magnesium Road was awarded to H & H Construction from Petawawa for a total amount of around $1.9 million, Mr. Boland said.
The full length of the Queens Line will be done, with the exception of 1.8 kilometres near the Chenaux Road, which was completed not too long ago. However, bike lanes will be put in from end-to-end, he said. Some culverts will be replaced and four culverts will be lined, he added, noting guardrails will also be replaced.
Magnesium Road is getting a two-inch overlay, Mr. Boland said.
The project will be completed sometime between August and September, which is way after the planting season, but before the harvest season begins, he said.
Main Street in Cobden will be paved from the site of the former railway track to Pembroke Street (Hwy. 17).
“It will be a shave and pave,” he said.
This work is expected to be done in September and is budgeted at $210,865. Mr. Boland noted while the contract hasn’t been awarded by the county, the committee is recommending Smiths Construction out of Arnprior get the contract. It will go the county meeting at month’s end.
The final project is 7.3 kilometres of Gore Line in Westmeath, which is almost from Westmeath to Nicolai Road. The budget for this project is $500,000 and is expected to be completed in August. It was also awarded to H & H Construction.
“There will be a lot of activity in the month of August by (the county),” Mr. Boland said.
When questioned about bike lanes on other county roads, Mr. Boland said there are several active transportation groups throughout the county, however, they have amalgamated to form one stronger collaboration and have created a priority for roads.
Four years ago the county adopted an active transportation policy and is conscious when construction work is being discussed, the bike lanes are included as much as they can be, he explained.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin wanted to know what the extra costs are for putting in bike lanes. He questioned if there is tourism money available to help with the bike lanes.
Mr. Boland noted Cycle Ontario does provide some funding and there are other programs which provide funding for infrastructure upgrades.
“We take advantage of those as much as we can,” he said.
As for the exact costs, he didn’t have them at the meeting, but would get the information to the Chief Administrative Officer.
Coun. McLaughlin noted that Grants Settlement Road is one road within the township that should definitely have paved shoulders, but it’s a municipally-owned road. He questioned if the county would consider taking that road over, as it was once the county’s road.
It’s used a lot, especially by cyclists, people out horseback riding and people walking, he said.
Later in the meeting, Councillor Chris Olmstead said it would be interesting to get a traffic count on Grants Settlement Road.
