Despite a pair of nay votes, Antigonish Town Council voted in favour of funding a local active
transportation initiative to the tune of $1.1 million.
During last night’s regular monthly meeting of Antigonish Town Council, members voted in favour of the project, the total price tag of which is around $4 million. Councillors William Cormier and Sean Cameron were the nay votes.
Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher said the 2.6 kilometre active transportation corridor will compliment a similar initiative taking place in the county. The trail is set to come down West Street, across St. Ninian’s and Church Street, and then it becomes a bit of a nature trail through the woods across Brierly Brook Bridge, comes out behind the Victorian Inn and over to Columbus field, and then out to the landing.
She said the town is happy to move forward with a project of this size.
When asked about the debate of the motion, Boucher said the two main concerns were the cost of the project and if it was the optimal route.
The town applied to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program for funding, with the hopes both the provincial and federal governments will kick in the rest of the funding. The town accepted a borrowing resolution of $1.5 million, with the extra being there to cover incidentals. If the outside funding comes though, Boucher said the planning stage will happen over the next year, with the hope to have it completed by 2025.