From left, André Brisson, councillor, François St-Amour – warden of the UCPR and mayor of La Nation, Pierre Leroux – mayor of Russell Township, Francis Drouin – Member of Parliament, Jamie Laurin – councillor and Cindy Saucier councillor. Courtesy photo
Van Dusen photo
Tom Van Dusen
Villager Contributor
RUSSELL – Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux is crediting the federal Gas Tax Fund for some of the improvements completed this summer to the municipal road network.
Thanks to the fund, said the mayor who’s campaigning for re-election, upgrades can be made year after year “to better serve our residents and visitors.’’ Leroux was joined Monday at the new Embrun Fire Hall on Route 300 by Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP Francis Drouin who said local road projects are vital in improving traffic flow and safety for local residents. Other benefits include reductions in greenhouse gas and maintenance costs.
So far this year, the township has resurfaced 11.7 kilometre of roads at a cost of $660,000, with $485,630 from the gas fund. Projects completed include resurfacing Route 400 between Ste-Marie and St. Andre, Route 400 between Macdonald and Gregoire, and St. Pierre between St. Guillaume and just north of Route 200.
At the beginning of the season, the municipality announced it was also resurfacing Ste-Catherine from Route 400 to Route 500, St. Jacques from Carrière to Route 400, and Forced Road from Craig to the Nature Trail. Total estimated cost for six projects was given at that time as $980,000. Leroux said the other projects proceeded, but not with gas tax funding, strictly though taxation.
Also in the township transportation program are an ongoing $1-million rehabilitation of St. Joseph Bridge and a turning lane for Sportsplex Street. Both projects are well underway and will be covered by municipal loans. The mayor said the bridge is expected to reopen in September.
