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Grey Highlands propose $2 million in roadwork for 2022

Proposed work is spread out over five projects and 12.6 km of roads
2020_08_19 Grey Highlands highway sign_JG
Jennifer Golletz/CollingwoodToday

The Grey Highlands has proposed $2 million for road work in the proposed 2022 capital budget, which will see 12.6 km of roads resurfaced with asphalt or improved with gravel, if approved.

Of the $2 million in proposed work, $705,000 will come from grants, $550,000 from debenture, 350,000 from capital reserves, $68,500 through taxation, and $320,000 through cost recovery by splitting the costs of a project with the Municipality of Chatsworth.

The proposed road work is spread out over five projects, listed below:

  • Resurfacing 2 km of Road 63, from 3rd Concession to 4th Concession, at $385k
  • Resurfacing 1.7 km of Baseline from Grey Road 4 to 4th Concession A, at $251k
  • Resurfacing 3.9 km of 4th Concession A from Baseline to Artemesia-Glenel Townline, at $550k
  • Resurfacing 1.9 km of Euphrasia-Holland Townline from Sideroad 16A to Sideroad 19, at $641k, to be split 50/50 with the Municipality of Chatsworth
  • 3.1 km of gravel road base/structure improvements in Artemesia and Osprey, at $168.5k

The projects were considered by council at budget deliberations Nov. 22. 

Mayor Paul McQueen took issue with the proposed resurfacing of Road 63, which will involve pulverizing, grading, and resurfacing the road.

“I’ll say this right now, I will not be supporting $385,000 on a road that can probably last another three years,” McQueen said.

“Over the years, I have received a lot of criticism for grinding a road, when [other] people would love to have a new road.”

The project’s rationale states that the road has deteriorated beyond its useful lifespan, with wheel track rutting and asphalt patches in the roadway.

Deputy Mayor Aakaash Desai supported the project, stating that it’s better to fix the road before compounding issues create additional problems.

“You don't want it to get to the point where there are potholes forming because the process that brings it to there will usually cause deterioration beyond just the road surface,” he said. “So you want to get to it before the potholes start forming, … before you have more of the patchwork than you do road.”

“One of the rationales for upgrading a road from gravel to pavement or asphalt is hitting ... the AADT (average annual daily traffic) count of 400 – below that, we really haven't been in the practice,” Desai said.

The Grey Highlands budget is still in draft form and has not been approved by council.

The two remaining budget deliberations are scheduled to take place Nov. 29 and 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Council will meet again on Dec. 2 and Dec. 6 to ratify the budget.

All budget deliberations will be held virtually. Click here for the council meeting schedule and virtual links.


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About the Author: Greg McGrath-Goudie, LJI Reporter

Greg McGrath-Goudie covers The Blue Mountains and Grey Highlands as part of the Local Journalism Initiative, which is funded by the Government of Canada
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