The mayor of St. Clair Township is cautiously optimistic that the new Progressive Conservative government will make an announcement on funding for Sarnia-Lambton's long-planned oversized load corridor by year's end.
Steve Arnold says the issue was discussed with provincial officials at this week's Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting in Ottawa.
He says there's no better way for the Doug Ford government to show the province is open for business than to fund the corridor.
"I was just led to believe that this was going to be something that they want to deal with very early in their mandate. Because this is a quick win for the province of Ontario, especially our area," says Arnold.
Mayor Arnold notes the $12-million project, that involves making significant road and power line modifications, has the potential to create as many as 3,000 jobs.
Municipal governments and an industry coalition have already committed half the cost.
Local officials have long argued that a dedicated route is needed to efficiently move large modules between Sarnia-Lambton’s metal fabrication shops and Sarnia Harbour.
Infrastructure Minister and Lambton-Kent Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton has previously said securing funding is one of his priorities.