Yorkton Council decided Monday, with the exception of Councillor Dustin Brears, that a $40,000 investment in a road in the Rural Municipality of Wallace was a good one to stay on friendly terms with a neighbouring jurisdiction.
The request for the City dollars came as a result of problems with the bridge on Husky Road on the east side of Riverside Terrace where traffic has been reduced to a three ton limit, explained Lonnie Kaal – City Manager with the City.
As a result of the restriction the City has received complaints from local farmers who cannot drive their heavy machinery from one field to another since this bridge has a reduced capacity, she added.
The cost of retrofitting this bridge is significant with a price tag well over the $1,000,000 range and this road is a low priority for the City.
In essence, there are no plans to upgrade the road or the bridge and the neighbouring RM and farmers have been advised of this, noted Kaal.
In response the RM is looking to upgrade another road as an option for farmers.
“Currently these roadways are not much more than a dirt trail and they expect to spend $80,000 on clay and aggregate such that farmers can drive their equipment and connect to existing roadways. Theyhave requested that the City contribute $40,000 to this project,” detailed the report to Council.
“Discussions ensued where we determined that the RM would also be willing to improve the section of road that goes to the City’s well house. This would provide us with better access.”
While the City does not normally contribute toroads outside of City limits, the proposed improvements do provide a benefit and the waterworks division is prepared to contribute $20,000 for these improvements.
With the waterworks providing $20,000 Council was asked to commit the remaining $20,000 from an annexation reserve.
Brears was quick to ask how often an RM invests in City roads?
Kaal said there have been a couple of partnerships, in particular on the road to York Lake, but it is rare.
For that reason Brears said he could not support the request.
