M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E |
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M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E |
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To / Destinataire |
Mayor and Members of Council |
File/No
de fichier: |
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From / Expéditeur |
Deputy City Manager |
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Subject / Objet |
Hunt Club
Extension – Phase II Update / Prolongement du chemin Hun Club – Mise à jour
sur la phase II |
Date :
13 August 2009 |
Pursuant to the email sent on Friday July 24, 2009, I have
received the attached correspondence from the Ministry of Transportation.
As you know, the Hunt Club Road extension will provide arterial access to the provincial highway system in an area of potential industrial growth and address congestion and delay in the Walkley/Hawthorne corridor. It is identified in the Transportation Master Plan and addresses Council’s direction to ensure that City infrastructure is built or improved as needed to serve new growth.
As per the Provincial Stimulus Funding timeframe, the project required a two-phase approach to qualify for funding. Phase I of the project is comprised of a new four-lane road between Hawthorne Road and Russell Road. Phase II would see completion of the roadway by providing an interchange link to the 417.
The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund application was specific
in its request for early funding to ensure the completion of Phase I by March
31, 2011 and timely transition of Phase II. The following excerpt is extracted
from the project description in our application:
“Phase I will be materially complete by March 31, 2011 and will be placed into service upon completion of Phase II of the project between Russell Road and Highway 417. Phase II is subject to a cost sharing agreement between the City and MTO.”
The Provincial and Federal Governments approved this
project as described, recognizing the need to complete both Phases to achieve
its full functionality. In our most recent letters to the Province you were
sent on July 24, 2009, we requested matching funding support to align with the
Phase I timetable and move ahead with Phase II as planned.
In the attached letter, the Province did not provide
a financial commitment for the Phase II construction. The Province did however
re-confirm it’s verbal commitment for the $1.4M needed for the design and
property acquisition elements. In response to our
request for a firm commitment we received the following:
“As you know, the province’s capital budget is approved on an annual basis. Future funding for the ministry’s share of the construction of the Hunt Club interchange will be pursued through the budgetary process.”
Given the lack of firm commitment to cost share Phase II
beyond the design and property acquisition, staff do not have authority to
proceed to construction for Phase I. While the timing for future Provincial
funding for Phase II is unknown, Phase I still remains shovel ready. Tender for
Phase I construction had been anticipated for fall in order to have advanced on
the Federal and Provincial Stimulus Funding support.
It is hoped the Province will recognize the need to contribute to this project in its ensuing capital budget and commit to its remaining share for the conclusion of this important link. I will be following up with the Province to provide any information that supports the Provincial interest in this project.
As always, should you have any questions on this please do
not hesitate to contact my office. For inquiries on the design and delivery of
the project, please contact Wayne Newell.
Thank you,
Original signed by:
Nancy Schepers
Deputy City Manager
Infrastructure
Services and Community Sustainability
