Beach Road in Gilford another top roads priority
by Michelle Minnoch

While the Town has identified 37 top projects needed to be done in the Road Needs Study, Beach Road, which was previously not on the list, has shown deterioration and is considered a main concern.

Town staff has identified Beach Road in Gilford, between Shore Acres Road and Gilford Road, as a top road priority for 2007.

Council was provided with four options to consider for the road; modified reconstruction ($205,000 with a life span of 5 - 7 years); expanded asphalt with asphalt surface ($160,000 with a life span of 3 - 5 years); expanded asphalt with surface treatment ($157,000 with a life span of 1 - 2 years); paving ($53,000 with a life span of 2 - 3 years); surface treatment ($50,000 with a life span of 1 - 2 years); gravel ($35,000 with continuous maintenance). Staff recommends alternative four, which is paving the road.

Councillor Bill Van Berkel said although alternative number four is a good option, the problem is only getting two to three years out of it. "I hate to throw away good money after bad, but something has to be done. Alternative number four is a quick fix. I think residents would understand more if they had a good quality road that would take four years."

Rob McAuley, Director of Planning and Development said when they spoke to council about the issue in December, it was realized Beach Road was deteriorating faster then originally thought.

"We can consider a phased approach is residents can put up with a couple of years of reconstruction."

Roads manager Wayne Young said with Beach Street, they have to deal with cross culverts and the project had to be dealt with in a certain time period. He said a topographic survey had been completed, and any work done with respect to drainage in the area had to be approved by the Conservation Authority and Department of Fisheries.

Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope said he agreed with Councilor Van Berkel, and the project should be started this year and completed next year.

"If we use alternative four, in three years time we will be putting it off another three to four years." He added residents would be happier if it were done right the first time.

Young reminded the council that it all comes down to dollars and cents.

Mayor Brian Jackson said the one major component of the project was the funding, and they could look at the concept of phasing the project.

McAuley remarked that it would cost $205,000 to rebuild the road.

Young said he would come back to council and provided them with a cost of phasing the project over a number of years.

The sub base of the road is currently a "corduroy road", which is logs side by side bridging saturated unstable soil. The Town is limited, as the narrow right of way is only 40 feet; the normal right of way is 66 feet. Due to the width constraints of the road, traditional reconstruction is complicated.