Work continues to secure funding for the next phase of the oversized load corridor project.
Lambton County Council has approved $22,500 in additional funding from its Opportunities and Contingencies Reserve to the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, contingent on funding from the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program.
Councillor Anne Marie Gillis feels the step was necessary.
"In relationship to that particular project, yes. We do have over $7-million in the fund and that's exactly what it was created for, to help with economic development and that's what this particular feasibility study is talking about," she said.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance submitted a joint application to the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs program in January for just over $60,000 to support the Business Case Study and public consultation costs.
A conditional approval was recently received for the reduced amount of $48,680.
Completion of the business case study, together with the engineering study, will give municipalities the information and support needed to apply for upper tier government for the required infrastructure improvements.
Modifications to existing roads including widening, and eliminating power lines, are estimated to cost $3.6-million.
