City identifies 3 streets for work amid limited funding

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Campbellton has identified streets that are in need of significant repairs up this summer and with only $300,000 to spend, there won’t be many more that will see much more than patching.

Engineer Andre Bernard of Boissonnault & McGraw told council that there are a number of streets that need some attention but three in particular need to be dealt with.

“There are some streets that are listed as poor but the three that I’d suggest need work done this summer are Yorsdun Court (off Dover Street), Lansdowne between George and O’Leary, and Tingley Crescent if money allows,” said Bernard.

Many streets in the city have been in need of resurfacing for the last number of years, with Tingley and Lansdowne having been moved down in favour of other streets.

“They’re getting to the point that they have to be done sooner than later,” Bernard said.

Yorsdun had some infrastructure work done last year with much of the short street still gravel.

The city will be applying to the Municipal Capital Borrowing Board for permission to borrow $300,000 to do the work although the cost of having the work done has not yet been determined as the cost of asphalt is not yet known.

Campbellton had always borrowed $300,000 to do paving each year but costs have increased in recent years.

“With the cost being so high, I think it’s time that maybe we look at borrowing $500,000 so we can get more work done. We’re falling behind,” said Counc. Sterling Loga.

Kelly Laflamme, a project co-ordinator for the city, said each time the city borrows money, there is a chance that it could affect the tax rate. She said there might be savings in this year’s snow removal budget, but those costs have yet to be calculated.

CAO Manon Cloutier said that, at least for this summer, council should borrow just the $300,000, noting that other money could be found for additional paving should the city come under budget for snow removal.

As well, the city sets aside other funds that are used for patching potholes which also were not as numerous this year thanks to the lack of snow and bitter cold temperatures.