Building bridges

Upping its game: Belleville is spending $21 million to make its southern Gateway more attractive and efficient.

Belleville mayor briefs council on Gateway to Belleville plans

It was all smiles on Thursday as Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher outlined plans to expand the entrance to his city from Prince Edward County. The plan involves widening Dundas Street from Coleman to Sidney Streets and building a new five-lane bridge across the CP rail line where Highway 62 heads south toward the County.

There was some minor kvetching about how the province used to pay for connecting link projects, a burden now borne by residents. But as Christopher noted, this project was being paid for on Belleville’s dime—or rather with funds it receives from the Federal Gas Tax and Small Communities Fund. Christopher asked council to bring the news to the community. He said the expansion of the intersection would benefit both Belleville and Prince Edward County.

His presentation ended on a lighter note, with an image of the approach to the Dundas Street intersection from the County depicting a pair of tollbooths.

“Just kidding,” said Christopher.

Former County staffer Ray Ford is manager of engineering in Belleville. He heads up engineering for the 22 projects that encompass Build Belleville, including the Gateway to Belleville.

He estimates an average of 17,500 vehicles cross the bridge each day. He says the addition of lanes into the County will ease traffic congestion.

Councillor Janice Maynard thanked Ford and Christopher for the project, noting it would speed up her daily trip to Belleville.

Introducing Christopher, Mayor Robert Quaiff talked about the good friendship that had formed between them.

“We have had a good-natured dialogue so far,” said Quaiff. “I look forward to an ongoing dialogue.”

Yet the issue of the thorny deal between Belleville and Prince Edward County for water supplied to Rossmore and Fenwood Gardens didn’t come up. Not a question. Not a comment.

Belleville charges its high-volume water customers $0.75 for each cubic metre of water they consume. The city charges bulk tank operators $2.13 per cubic metre. But for its neighbours in Prince Edward County, it currently charges $3.53 per cubic metre— for the same water. The County built and maintains the pipe that runs under the bay. For years, County officials have been using quiet diplomacy as they urged their Belleville counterparts to renegotiate this arrangement.

So far, quiet diplomacy has achieved nothing.

So why wasn’t the irritant raised with Mayor Christopher?

Mayor Quaiff says CAO James Hepburn and Works chief Robert McAuley recently met with Belleville officials on this issue.

“They are currently reviewing the study on how the rates got to where they are now,” wrote Quaiff. “They will provide Mayor Christopher with a report that he and I will discuss shortly. There is good cooperation on their part.”