SAULT STE. MARIE -- Several pre-approved capital works projects amounting to over $50 million dollars will continue as planned in Sault Ste. Marie.
On Monday, city council said it wants the municipality to proceed with the six planned capital projects for 2020, despite the impact COVID-19 has had on the city.
"We face a considerable challenge in maintaining our linear infrastructure to acceptable levels and, like other municipal jurisdictions, face a significant backlog of projects in this respect," wrote city CAO Malcolm White in his report to council. "To defer our 2020 projects in this area would only increase this challenge."
The projects include the reconstruction of 2nd and 6th Avenues, Farwell Terrace Aqueduct, Northern Avenue resurfacing, upgrades to the west end water treatment plant and various other paving and resurfacing projects.
White's report also recommended for city council to have other projects, such as the Twin Pad Arena, "shovel ready," in order to be ready for any stimulus funding offered by the federal and provincial governments.
"The investment of levy funds enable the city to leverage significant funding from other levels of government," said White.
Deferring these projects would only reduce the flow of funding from higher governments he added.
