Cambridge Now!

Cambridge, Ontario - As part of the Building Canada infrastructure plan, Cambridge residents have benefited from over $8.9 million from the Federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) between 2005 and 2009 to help address municipal infrastructure needs. The agreement in Ontario , administered through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), will see an additional $3.6 million this year for much needed work in Cambridge . 

 

“The program ensures that communities have a source of stable and long-term funding that helps us address our municipal infrastructure needs. A big focus for Cambridge is to build our knowledge-base systems for asset management keeping environment top of mind,” says Ed Kovacs, Commissioner of Transportation and Public Works.

 

Overall, the valuable program flowed some $1.9 billion to Ontario ’s communities between 2005 and 2010 to help address gaps in funding when it came to infrastructure. It works out to be about 0.5 cents per litre of gas that is pumped back into the economy.

 

The current five year funding program kicked off in 2005 and has realized significant success. One area of focus for Cambridge is to renew water systems including the road infrastructure that is affected by underground replacement work; and to build our knowledge-based asset management systems that help with detection, scheduling and ultimately save money when it comes to addressing the repairs and infrastructure renewal.

 

“Our high-tech system refines the process of determining renewal priorities thus resulting in cost avoidance or helping us to achieve savings in the long run,” adds Kovacs.

 

While this round of funding is concluding, the following points highlight some of the successes that have brought about safer and better community infrastructure:

 

*   In 2005 the GTF (Gas Tax Fund ) expenditure totaled $1,076,000

 

*   This included just over a half of a million toward advancement in technology and computerization of management systems. The system is up and running and enhances the information the municipality is able to track with a view to setting priorities and building longer term plans of action

 

* Another important program involved replacement of residential water meters that were older than 20 years creating efficiencies for citizens by enhancing the accuracy of metering

 

*  In 2006 GTF funds totaled $1,076,000

 

*  Implementation of an advanced drinking water quality management system was undertaken to provide further details and monitoring under the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Renewal of key roads, sanitary, storm and water infrastructure was also completed

 

* Knowledge capacity building for projects such as road condition assessment for our entire networks; sanitary and storm sewer inspections; water main analysis; cost tracking systems utilizing the new technology; and overall sustainability analyses were accomplished

 

*  In 2007 highlights project expenditures of $1,434,000

 

* Along with advancement of the knowledge building programs of infrastructure condition assessment, the City completed road resurfacing in areas such as Garden Street (Concession to Durham), Munch Avenue (Hilldale to Elgin), Stirling McGregor Drive (Dalkeith to Grand Ridge) and Woodside Avenue )Cedar to Victoria). Reconstruction of Courtney Road between Harvey and Schofield was also completed replacing water pipes having a history of a number of breaks.

 

*  Traffic safety audit computer system was implemented under budget at a cost of $33,552 nearly $7,000 less than anticipated. The vehicle collision database will aid improvements in traffic safety and vehicle management

 

* In 2008 city projects totaled $1,793,000

 

* Road resurfacing projects continued with nearly two dozen streets receiving paving enhancements. This included paving preservation treatments to help extend the life cycle of the effected road networks

 

* The second phase of the work management tools were implemented with a number of assessment projects undertaken including watermain conditions. 

 

*  In 2009 funds reached $3,586,000

 

*  Major reconstruction projects throughout the city occurred including at Queen, Middleton, and Christopher Street reducing the backlog of watermain renewals.

 

* Asset management tools added another significant feature to help determine rehabilitation alternatives thus enhancing cost effectiveness

 

*  Rain and ground water impacts on the sanitary systems were also evaluated to help identify where improvements are needed in the sewer system that will lead to improved efficiency in treatment.

 

Projects for 2010 are underway to conclude the five-year plan which will mean an additional $3.6 million for sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure upgrading for Cambridge. And there’s good news for Cambridge as recent announcements by Federal government partners will inject another pot of money into the local economy. The contracts are expected in the near future.