A crumbling section of Sarnia's Plank Road, voted one of the worst roads in the region for several years, has been recommended for infrastructure funding.
The provincial government has nominated reconstruction of Plank between Indian Road South and Highway 40 to the federal government for approval.
Sarnia Acting Director of Engineering David Jackson said the city is now looking for federal funding for the $8.11 million project.
Jackson said earlier in the year, the city applied for $5 million through the Investing in Canada infrastructure Program (ICIP), a 10-year initiative that provides up to $30 billion in federal, provincial and local investments.
"So as part of that program, the federal government would contribute 50 per cent, or $2.5 million in this case, the province would cover 33 per cent, $1,666,500, and the municipality would cover the remaining 17 per cent," he said.
Jackson said the city expects to hear from the federal government before this fall's election.
The Canadian Automobile Association has listed Plank Road in its annual Worst Roads Campaign for five straight years now, including in 2019 when it was voted the worst road in southwestern Ontario. Jackson said it's time to change that.
"Most people are aware that Plank Road, the condition of the asphalt is in very poor shape, so we're looking to replace that. As part of that, we're looking to improve the safety of the road as well -- so we'd look at adding a centre-left turn lane, and paving the shoulders for cyclists to use," said Jackson. "And our water main underneath the road is in very poor condition and has experienced many breaks, so we would replace that at the same time."
Design work is scheduled for next year, followed by two phases of construction in 2021 and 2022.
The Holt Line Bridge Rehabilitation project in St. Clair Township has also been nominated for the infrastructure program, with the province's share being about $400,000.
The provincial government has nominated a total of 95 new projects to the Trudeau Liberals under the Rural and Northern stream of the ICIP, in addition to the 49 projects nominated May 10.