Huntsville Committee advised they need to increase budgets for road work
Huntsville General Committee were advised they need to improve budgets for road work in the 2024 Road Needs Study, in the November 27, 2024, meeting.
Senior Transportation Engineer of Burnside, Henry Centen, said the Town generally sets an annual budget of $4 million for road work from the $6 million for all capital improvements, including bridges, culverts, streetlights, and so on. However, this isn’t enough.
According to his report, “The annual budget of $6 million for all capital improvements is not sufficient to maintain the current network condition.”
The report indicates that “Hardtop Road (“NOW”) Needs” requires $62,982,762.00, and gravel $4,307,654.00. It adds, “3.60km of roads have been recommended for further maintaining/review potential upgrading to hard top with a total estimated upgrade cost of $1,759,100.00.”
In addition to suggesting the Town increase their 10-year roads budget to be more inline with other municipalities with the goal of between $60 to $70 million, he recommended they upgrade their pre-maintenance routines and programs, and that updates to condition ratings be completed every 3 to 5 years “to assess ongoing deterioration rates and resulting in improvement requirements.”
Councillor, Dione Schumacher, inquired about the recommendation of a maximum of 50 vehicles on a road per day, and whether this includes trucks for things like delivery, propane, and garbage.
Centen said truck volumes represent only one component of traffic to the volume protocol set by the MTO. He advised Committee to consider this along with the increase of residents.
Deputy Mayor, Dan Armour, inquired about how the Town compares to other municipalities.
Centen said they provided a reasonable level of service regarding their road conditions, however, are “below other municipalities” with their budget.
Councillor, Helena Renwick, expressed gratitude that they put money saved from this year’s budgets into roads. She added that spending $4-6 million on roads puts it as “the biggest budget item.”
She inquired about whether tourism was factored into the study.
Centen said this is a unique area that they have no “parameter” to address it with. He added that the increase in traffic in the summer makes it more “susceptible” come spring, especially given ½ ton trucks, which adds to the factors Committee needs to consider.
Councillor, Cory Clarke, said, “The study shows what we already know to be true to be completely honest,” especially given the calls the Town receives from the community.
He added that the past capital budget was “underfunded.” “We tried to catch up but it’s still a long way for what it should be.”
He suggested they focus on increasing the budget “or we’re going to be in a worse state than we are today.”
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, expressed appreciation for the study as a guide moving forward with the help of the Operations Department. She said, “It’s not going to be an easy task. As the study shows, we need to do more.”
