Municipality to submit petition to feds for dollars to expand 43

The Expand 43 campaign is one step closer to the floor of the House of Commons. The initiative was launched by the Municipality of North Grenville at the end of November to put pressure on the federal government to approve funding for the project. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford says the municipality, in partnership with MP Michael Barrett, will be submitting a petition to the House in the next few weeks. 

The matter was discussed during the council meeting on Tuesday night. Peckford noted the petition has over 1,000 signatures and counting. 

Federal funding has been in limbo since July, when MPP Steve Clark announced the provincial government had nominated the County Road 43 expansion for $9.9 million in funding.  

Peckford explained the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, which is largely responsible for the road, has provisionally anticipated a $10 million spend to expand the bridge on 43 this year. She says the municipality is a much smaller player and would be responsible for the cost of sidewalks, underground infrastructure and lighting. 

Peckford noted discussions are still quite active to ensure that federal funding does proceed. She explained the move to expand the bridge will take some months and it’s not about to happen immediately. Peckford says there are subsequent discussions to have with the Counties in terms of the financing arrangement and those will come to Counties Council in the next couple of months.  

The four-laning of 43, from Somerville to the 416, is projected to cost around $25 million. The government funding, through the Rural and Northern Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, breaks down as follows: $4.9 million (feds), $3.3 million (province) and $1.6 million (UCLG and North Grenville).