Infrastructure Funding

The city of St. John's received good news on Monday 11 May. The federal and provincial governments announced "economic stimulus" funding for various infrastructure projects. Chief amongst these are water and sewer services. The following is the list of projects:

Kelley/Edward Sewer Replacement................................$600,000
Forest Road Watermain................................................$2,450,000
Municipal Depot Renovations.........................................$7,640,000
Northeast Land Storm Sewer.........................................$2,770,000
Bay Bulls Big Pond Water TreatmentUpgrades.................$35,000,000
Petty Harbour/Long Pond Water Treatment Plant.............$37,300,000
Team Gushue Highway Extension..................................$40,000,000
Quidi Vidi Weir.............................................................$3,000,000
Bay Bulls Road Upgrade...............................................$1,640,000
Blackmarsh Road Upgrade............................................$2,656,000
Brookfield Road Upgrade..............................................$1,400,000

Total $134,456,000

Originally, the city was going to contribute $80,878,000 to these projects. Now the city will only have to contribute $24,426,668 thus creating a saving to the city of $56,451,332 in capital expenditure costs.

This is extremely good news for the citizens of St. John's as this will mean money can be re-directed to other capital expenditure projects thus speeding up the commencement of these projects. There will also be a positive impact on water taxes. A savings of approximately $60.00 per year per household.

I have asked for clarification on the final point as I'm not sure if it is a "future saving" meaning it is $60 we will not have to spend or is it a saving that will mean our current rate of $520 per year will be reduced.

Oh the irony of an economic slump to provide economic stimulus to help the citizens!