Prince Edward County’s Mayor says County Road 49’s continued appearance on the worst road list sends a clear message to the federal government that it “needs to step up.”
CAA released its top 10 worst roads in the province on Thursday with the crumbling gateway ranked third in Ontario and topped the list in eastern Ontario. It has appeared on the top 10 list at least seven times.
“The Ontario government has provided $20 million and we need the federal government to join us,” Mayor Steve Ferguson said in a statement to InQuinte on Friday morning. “The municipality has done all it can and this project is ‘shovel-ready.’ Having all of the financing in place before this project moves ahead is critical so that we can undertake this work in the most cost-effective manner possible.”
The deteriorating 18.6 km gateway that links the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory to Picton has been a constant thorn in the municipality’s side for decades ever since it was downloaded from the province in the 90s.
The latest cost estimate has the project coming in $52.3 million and the cash-strapped municipality has been calling for a three-way split with upper levels of government to help foot the bill.
Since day one of the federal election campaign, newly elected Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette said he has been reminded of the priority and urgent nature of addressing the issue of federal funding for County Road 49.
“It has only amplified in importance on my file as I was proudly elected to represent the Bay of Quinte in our new Liberal government,” he said in a statement.
Since arriving in Ottawa, Malette said he has reached out to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland personally on the matter and as of Friday has had a personal exchange with her newly appointed parliamentary secretary on the matter.
“I know it is a high priority as infrastructure and transportation discussions and priorities are being assessed here and I have pressed for an answer at all levels,” Malette said. “I am hopeful there will be a response from the minister in short order, as we all know this link is vital to not only the tourism industry in The County but to commercial and industrial sectors in the Picton area.”
