By Cecilia Nasmith Today`s Northumberland
Former Cobourg Mayor John Henderson and Terry Marrocco were at Monday’s council meeting to urge that badly needed work on King Street West proceed without further delay.
They would like the $2.3-million job, covering King Street between Burnham and William, as soon as possible to address such issues as corrosion of pipes, poor condition of the sanitary sewer and an undersized storm sewer.
Frequent water breaks occur, Marrocco said, each of which means at least a day without water for these residents.
The road itself is 63 years old, she pointed out, and existing conditions make it virtually a flood plain.
She also pointed out a new problem, basing storm-sewer rates on the size of one’s property. Properties on King Street West tend to be oversized, she noted.
Any further delay on this project “puts the town in a position for liability,” Marrocco said.
“We are requesting budget implementation for the complete King Street West reconstruction to be completed in 2024.”
Director of Public Works Laurie Wills said the design work will likely continue into next year, as the project is more complex than they had realized. The King Street bridge crossing will have to be part of the work, for example.
“It’s a pretty massive undertaking,” Wills said.
“The complexity of the design has evolved over the last several years because it’s a major arterial road.”
It’s important to get a solid handle on work required – not just for the bridge, but also for future development planned in the King Street West area and the re-engineered entrance to the waste-water treatment plant they want to add to the project – before leaving the design phase behind.
“A lot of things came into play with this project, and that’s why it has taken so long to sort out,” Wills said.
“The intention is absolutely to go to 2025 with the construction, with Lakefront Utilities on board.”
