Engineering department updates priorities for next 5 years on designated highways in city
There are sections of streets in the city that fall under the Designated Highway program, and the cost of maintaining them is shared by the city and the province. The city’s share of the expense can be up to 50% but is often closer to 25%. Those streets include King George Highway, Route 126 in Nelson, Wellington Street from University to Loggieville, and Islandview Drive in the city limits.
Every year the city updates its 5 year plan and prioritizes work to be done on these streets. The plan is a requirement for the province to consider funding the projects, but they are not always funded. For example, in 2021 the city prioritized work on the King George Highway in anticipation of increased traffic due to the pending Centennial Bridge closure, but the province did not approve any of the work.
Related story: https://www.miramichionline.com/posts/Province-will-not-contribute-to-any-KGH-work-in-2021
The province said the list of work put forward by all municipalities was 6 times the budget, and therefore some work was not approved.
Going forward, the City of Miramichi’s 5 year plan for designated highways looks like this:
2022
King George Highway from old courthouse to Old King George Highway (infrastructure, paving and curbs) - $1.8 million
King George Highway sidewalk extension at French Fort Cove - $275,000
King George Highway, Nordin storm sewer and shoulder widening - $450,000
2023
Paving Nordin to Douglastown - $1.425 million
Paving Rte 126 from Island View to Nowlanville Rd - $1.45 million
2024
Paving Island View Drive from 126 to train bridge - $750,000
Relocate utilities on KGH form Sweeney lane to Regent
2025
Pavign KGH from Old KGH to Cove Road - $1 million
Paving KGH from Hennessy to Kingsway - $300,000
2026
Reconstruction KGH from Radio to Regent - $1.8 million
Paving Wellington from Forrest Corner to Loggieville - $1 million