April 5, 2017 – Barbara Simpson, The Observer – A $12-million heavy-haul corridor pitched for Sarnia-Lambton has received another financial boost on its path to fruition.
Lambton County council unanimously approved on Wednesday the creation of a $100,000 budget to cover cost of the public consultation process and the detailed design work required for the project.
This budget hinges, though, on the county striking “satisfactory” cost-sharing and responsibility agreements with the other municipal project partners, as well as the project obtaining at least two-thirds funding from senior levels of government.
The heavy-haul corridor – billed as an easier-to-navigate route for fabricators from Sarnia and surrounding area to transport industrial modules through to the Sarnia Harbour – could create as many as 2,600 jobs, according to a recent business case study.
Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu and MPP Bob Bailey have been advocating for senior government funding for the project that will involve a series of infrastructure improvements.
While the recently-announced federal budget included $31 million specifically designated for trade corridors, the Canadian government has yet to commit to any funding towards the local project, but Bailey recently told The Observer his understanding is that the feds may fund the project if the province makes it a priority.
Sarnia-Lambton officials were expected to participate in a conference call with Ministry of Infrastructure officials on Thursday.
“Our next goal is to have the Province of Ontario declare this as a priority project, and then we’re hoping that if the federal people will say, ‘Yes, this is also a priority,’ then – in support with the county, [St. Clair] Township and the City of Sarnia – together we can make things happen,” Rick Perdeaux, of the Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance (SLIA), told county council Wednesday.
More than 35 members representing local manufacturing, machine shop, engineering and environmental service companies belong to SLIA.
The advocacy group – along with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership – have been spearheading the project.
Since 2012, the County of Lambton has provided more than $66,000 to help fund studies into the heavy-haul corridor concept, according to a county staff report presented Wednesday. Another $10,000 of in-kind staff time has also been provided.
Several county politicians suggested the heavy-haul corridor project continues to need support from all of the municipalities involved in order to secure senior levels of funding.
“If the municipalities aren’t willing to give their support and even some dollars, it’s a hard sell at the upper levels of government,” city/county Coun. Anne Marie Gillis said Wednesday.
If provincial and federal project dollars are secured, the County of Lambton could be looking at spending $800,000 – spread out over four years – to cover its share of infrastructure improvements along its own roadways, according to a staff report.
Construction of the heavy-haul corridor could start as early as 2018.
But before that happens, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley stressed the importance of a public consultation process.
“I think that in this case there’s a real need that we have a direct linkage with the people who are impacted by this, because as much as I support the project, I also watch what’s happened in other communities… like in London, what’s been happening with the rapid transit debate where it’s just bogged down by bad communication and bad consultation,” he said.
His sense is that most urban stakeholders along the route would be supportive of the project if they “fully understand” the details.
“I think it could become a difficult issue if (the public consultation process) is not managed properly.”
Council county on Wednesday requested staff reports back on a proposed public consultation process and an update on the balance of the county’s opportunities and contingency reserve. Dollars from that account will be used to fund the $100,000 budget for the public consultation process and detailed designs.
City/county Coun. Bev MacDougall said the county has a role to continue playing in the project.
“We are moving this along with the right steps and the right time, and I think it’s important for us to understand both the finance, and also developing a plan for public consultation now… that will help move that along in a productive way as well…”
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