City explores going into debt to four-lane MR35

City councillors plan to hold a meeting sooner rather than later on whether the city should debt finance a number of longstanding roads and other projects.

In particular, four-laning MR35 from Azilda to Chelmsford at a cost of $30 million is a priority, as is completing the resurfacing of Lorne Street.

While the city will be applying for infrastructure money for both projects, support appears to be building on council for taking advantage of historically low interest rates to make a dent in the city's billion-dollar infrastructure deficit.

Meeting Tuesday evening as they neared the end of 2016 budget talks, Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac made a passionate plea for completing the four-laning of MR35. It was something that was promised when the former Rayside-Balfour was part of amalgamation at the turn of the century.

That's because Rayside was the only community in the area willing to accept a gambling facility in the 1990s. The slots at Sudbury Downs has since netted the city millions in revenue, but the roadway is still not four laned.

Dutrisac said people in the area are afraid to drive on MR35 because there are so many accidents.

“We've been waiting for 40 years to get that done,” Dutrisac said. “It's a matter of life and death … I hope we have the support at the table.”

And Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier said the patience of residents in the area is wearing thin. They have waited long enough for the city to keep its promise.

“It's got to be done,” Montpellier said. “How many more reports do we need that say, do this thing?

“It's about the time the City of Sudbury said it was open for business. Let's build things.”

While initially calling for MR35 to be included as a budget option, the councillors agreed to defer it to a planned meeting on debt financing. Ward 10 Coun. Fern Cormier said it's an opportunity for the city to finally move ahead with some major projects.

“It's a big thing for us, because this municipality hasn't explored this option for many, many, many years,” Cormier said. “But the potential is great for us to seriously consider MR35, Lorne Street and Maley, and maybe a few other roads.”

The projects could be done without a big hike in property taxes, if council supports debt financing. And having the meeting means the debate will take place in public.

“I want to get this done,” Cormier said. “We have the capacity, if managed properly (and) we would be done with the Band-Aid fixes.”

Mayor Brian Bigger, who spoke against debt financing during the 2014 municipal election campaign, softened his position and said he could support it.

“I thank councillor Cormier for bringing back this idea,” Bigger said. “(Perhaps) we can find ways of financing some significant projects by taking a look at debt financing.”

Staff was directed to find the earliest available date for the debt-financing meeting. Whenever it takes place, Montpellier made it clear he was expecting action on MR35 this year.

“Doing nothing is not an option, as far as I'm concerned,” he said.

Councillors are expected to pass the 2016 budget today (Wednesday). Currently, the property tax hike sits at 3.9 per cent.