Local MLA frustrated with funding cuts in 07 for road improvements

SACKVILLE, N.B. - With a $50-million cutback in New Brunswicks transportation budget, local MLA Mike Olscamp expected there would be less funding for the Tantramar region this year.

But that still didnt stop the disappointment when the news came in that the area will only see a four-kilometre section of highway paved and an old bridge replaced this summer.

The Tory MLA said he hoped to have a number of other transportation projects, about a dozen in fact, approved for the riding in this years budget estimates.

Im very disappointed . . . I was hoping to score at least three or four of the 12, he said last week.

Olscamp said he has grave concerns over the cutbacks to the transportation departments capital budget and isnt satisfied theres enough money available to make necessary repairs to New Brunswicks roads and bridges.

Im going to try and push for more. Im very disappointed that others will not go (this year) but Ill continue to lobby towards having those projects done.

He did note there are local transportation budgets still to be announced and hopes to receive more funding for projects such as repair to the Davis Road in the Port Elgin area.

Theres still a local budget to come down but I cant say how much will be in that. Last year, there was $250,000 but Im told not to expect that kind of money this year, he said.

One of the top priorities on Olscamps project list, which was one of the two projects approved in the Liberals budget, was the replacement of the aging Mount Whatley Bridge, which had been closed down in Aug. 2005 due to its deteriorating condition.

The bridge, known locally as the Eddy Bridge, has been an important transportation link for farmers along the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border. Olscamp said he and farmers on both sides of the border are pleased the rundown bridge will be replaced this construction season.

The Eddy Bridge . . . its finally a go, he said.

The bridge was slated to be replaced last December but was delayed by, among other things, the New Brunswick election. Barricades went up on both sides of the bridge in Aug. 2005 after an inspection by transportation officials raised structural concerns. The closure inconvenienced farmers on both sides of the border and raised concerns about having an alternate route to cross from one province to the other should the highway be closed.

Marilyn Carter, whose family operates a farm on the Nova Scotia side of the border, said the closure has created numerous problems for farmers as they have land on both sides of the border and farmers on one side have agreements with farmers on the other to look after their land.

Its long overdue, she said. Im glad theyre going to replace it but it never should have been put on hold in the first place. Its such a small job that it should not take that long to complete.

Carter said shell believe the politicians when she actually sees construction begin and the bridge replaced.

Under the inter-provincial agreement, Nova Scotia will cover the cost of the bridge deck on the $600,000 structure while New Brunswick will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the structure. Each province is responsible for the approaches and abutments on their side of the bridge.

Also approved in the Tantramar riding is the paving of a 4.3 kilometre stretch of highway westbound from the Aulac River to the Tantramar River bridge.

Olscamp said hes pleased to see the poor road conditions on that section of road will be addressed in this years budget because its an embarrassment if youre trying to be bring tourists into this province.

But, he added, he would also like to see paving done beyond the bridge, leading into the next Sackville exit, as well.

Theres a stretch there that Im going to continue lobbying for.

(with files from Darrell Cole)