Spending for Thunder Bay’s roads has dipped below the minimum needed to maintain them.
A report to council delivered on Monday says our roads need at least $13 million for upkeep, but as Mayor Keith Hobbs notes, the roads budget is just $7 million this year.
“That’s down from $10 million [in 2017] and $12 million before that,” Hobbs pointed out during Thursday’s budget discussion. “How are we going to get back on track with our enhanced infrastructure renewal program?”
Engineering Director Kayla Dixon explains that the repairs to the Main Street Bridge are eating into the roads budget.
“That is a large capital project that is over the envelope that we would normally spend in our bridges and culverts category,” she notes, pointing out that the rehabilitation can’t be put off any longer.
Budget talks are scheduled to continue January 24th, January 31st, and the budget is scheduled to be approved on February 5th. (File Photo)