Province patches road repair funding gaps
By Chris Simon

The provincial government will be investing more than $940,000 in new funding into Innisfil's roads and bridges.

The town formally accepted the funding, which is paid for through the Ministry of Transportation's 2008 Municipal Road and Bridge Infrastructure Investment initiative, during a meeting last week.

The money can be used for several types of road or bridge capital projects. However, the town must wait for further details on how the money can be used, before further decisions can be made. The funding will be allocated to the town by June 30. As part of the agreement, the town will be required to submit a summary report, detailing exactly how the money is being spent, to the the ministry.

"A final project summary report detailing the expenditures, use of provincial funding, and outcomes achieved will be submitted," said councillor Bill Van Berkel. "The town agrees that any funds intended for the investment that are not used in accordance with the guidelines or terms outlined will be returned to the ministry."

The investment is an important step towards meeting the infrastructure needs of the town, said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley in a statement.

"Addressing municipal road and bridge capital investment needs is an important part of maintaining and improving the province's transportation network, economic success and quality of life," he said.