Infrastructure needs upgrading: Rivest

BY BILL BRADLEY

Ward 6 Councillor Andre Rivest is all for development in the city but, he thinks now is the time to plan for upgrading future infrastructure. Otherwise we may have prematurely reached our limits to growth.

“Development is good. We need the jobs from private sector initiatives and we need the houses that companies like Dalron are developing in their new Valley View Rd. subdivision. Our mining sector is booming and we have to house their workers,” said Rivest.

“But there are limits fast approaching, if they are not here already. (For example)there are limits to what roads like Municipal Rd. 80 can handle.”

Rivest said he heard city staff say that 1,300 lots have been approved for development to the north of the city’s central core.

“These roads to Val Caron, and even to Hanmer, are congested now. After these latest approvals, what happens next year for the next round of subdivisions?”

Rivest thinks he has the answer.

“The solution is the Barry Downe extension. Build a road north, 10 km from Cambrian College to Notre Dame Ave. in Hanmer. The surrounding land is vacant, owned by the mining companies and there are a few lakes present as well that could be attractive for development.”

Rivest said pushing a road north would immediately relieve congestion on Municipal Rd. 80 and create synergies between businesses and consumers in New Sudbury, Hanmer and even Capreol.

“Shoppers will have access to businesses and services north and south and since there is lots of land available in the northern part of the city, that might facilitate more housing being built there. There is a lot of infrastructure available already which can facilitate growth there.”

The road won’t come cheap though.

“Rule of thumb for roads is $3 million per km plus land acquisition,” said Rivest.
How could a new road be implemented?

Rivest said he was able to get the Barry Downe extension placed as a long term project in the review of the city’s official plan two years ago. He was able to get 3,100 people in only five weeks to sign a petition for the extension as part of his presentation to the planning committee at that time.

Rivest said the next step is for council to approve a route-planning study, which will cost approximately $250,000 to determine exact location and property requirements.

“We also need an environmental assessment done to be able to access infrastructure funds from senior levels of government. If we do both, then this project could be one of this city’s projects proposed to the province and/or the feds.”

“Call 311 and email your mayor and councillors and say we all need the Barry Downe extension. They need to have the same passion for this that I have.”