With a busy summer of road and infrastructure projects pretty much in the books, the City of Humboldt is laying down plans for upcoming work. At Monday night’s regular Council Meeting, City staff presented reports outlining the funding avenues for those proposed projects. 

The first funding application heads to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, specifically to its Urban Highway Connector Program, for a trio of projects. Most notable is Highway 20 (Main St.) railway crossing replacement. Council members acknowledged that the crossing has deteriorated and become a problem for north-southbound traffic. The cost estimate for the project is $200,000 and the hope is the province would pick up 70 percent ($140,000) of the cost. The project would see the replacement of the existing wooden planks with a precast concrete that make for a smoother and more durable crossing.

The second proposal addresses the paving of Kruze Road, the service road in front of the Bella Vista Inn and Humboldt Commons, and the paving of Andreason Road, the service road connector on the east side adjacent to Olymel and Peavey Mart. Proposed cost of that project is $443,000 with an anticipated provincial share of 100 percent given that a commitment for funding had been made by the Government as far back as 2009.

Finally, the City intends to proceed with work on Highway 20 between 8th and 9th Avenues at a cost of $636,200 with an ask to the Ministry of 70 percent of road costs or $147,700. The balance of the expense is for replacement of water mains and services a year prior to the roadwork. Money for those improvements would come from the City or other funding avenues. 

The report presented by Public Works Manager Peter Bergquist noted that these are not guaranteed to proceed in the new year given that major funding for repaving of Highways 5 and 20 had been committed this year. However, the City sent in the applications and requested Council to approve the applications. If any of the requests are approved, the City staff would approach council for leave to proceed. 

Another major ask is for the proposed Carl Schenn Park Water Detention Pond Project expected to cost just over $1.5 million. The project is a follow up to a stormwater modelling assessment undertaken by the City and its contracted engineers. An application was prepared to tap the Natural Infrastructure Fund given that the retention pond project meets some of the criteria for the program. If successful, the grant could cover up to $1 million of the design and construction costs. The pond is a key element in mitigating the recurring flooding that’s taken place over the years in the city’s northwest end. 

Council approved the application process for both sets of projects.