Infrastructure Spending in South Frontenac

Jeff Green | Dec 11, 2024

Most of the equipment purchases and road and bridge projects in the $16million 2025 South Frontenac Capital budget stem from pre-approved replacement schedules, a 10 year capital plan, and the township's strategic plan.

The largest project on the books for 2025 is the rehabilitation of Road 38, between Murton Road and Kingston Road in Harrowsmith, at a cost of $4.315 million. The other major road projects include the Westport Road ($1.35 million), Craig Road ($1.095 million) and the Eagle Creek Bridge Reconstruction ($1.053 million)

The budget also includes surface treatment for 28.4 km of roads in the township, at a cost of $950,000.

Among vehicle replacement costs, the public works department is planning to purchase a new grader ($600,000), a new wheel loader ($340,000) and three ½-ton trucks ($210,000 total cost) along with some other equipment. The Fire Department is looking at 2 Rapid Response Units ($180,000 total cost), a wildland truck ($90,000) and truck for the fire chief ($75,000) and two ATVs with trailers ($50,000 total cost).

There are two large facility expenditures planned. One of them is $250,000 for design work on a new OPP Station/Firehall in Hartington. Another is $350,000 for EV charging stations. The charging station costs will have a minimal impact on the budget, as 90% of the costs are being covered by provincial and federal grant. The budget also includes $60,000 for landscaping at the Sydenham Cenotaph.

The two large recreation related projects in the budget are slated for Harrowsmith Centennial Park, $250,000 for ball diamond rehabilitation, and $150,000 for design and build of an accessible washroom. 

The budget also includes $91,000 for 7 sets of bleachers, 2 at Gerald Ball Park, 3 at Point Park, and 2 at Inverary. There is $95,000 in the budget for the pavilion at the Battersea Ball Park.

The total cost for the capital budget is over $16 million, and while some of those costs are covered by grants, the bulk of the money will come from the 2025 tax levy.