Some of the rougher-looking streets in the older part of town will be getting a makeover starting this spring.
In the town's budget meeting last month, the following streets were approved for repaving, watermain replacement, curb and sidewalk repair as necessary under 2021/2022 Urban Roads capital projects:
- Centre Street
- Anne Street
- Back Street
- Bingham Street
- Edward Street
- William Street
- Zima Crescent
- Parkwood Avenue
- Ondrey Street
- Martin Street
Construction is set to start this spring.
The 2021 budget for Urban Roads capital projects is $260,526 and $638,339 for 2022.
Newly elected Ward 2 Councillor Jonathan Scott says the plan is to have all roads completed this year with more roads being added to the list next year and the year after.
Scott says the engineering department is hoping to get the tender out in the next few weeks and start the work as soon as the weather allows.
"There is that 10 years plan to take on projects that are manageable both financially and logistically every summer," said Scott, "it's designed to make sure we're making decisions based on the evidence of the condition of the roads."
The town has also invested $50,000 in sidewalk replacement for 2021 and $25,000 was added to Leisure Services’ Parkland Improvement Fund, at the request of Coun. Scott, to be spent on Bradford's older parks.
Scott says it's time to "level the playing field" when it comes to improving the aesthetics of the downtown, giving more attention to the older part of Bradford.
"The goal is to rehabilitate everything (in the downtown)," he said.
Scott says the repaving work will tie in nicely to some of the other downtown projects like the revitalizing of the Bradford Community Centre.
"It increases property values, it enhances the appearance of the neighbourhood, and it's the town ensuring that our assets are well maintained," he said. "We're making sure the older part is taken care of the older part of the town so it's renewed."
Scott says council has done a good job of setting up positive infrastructure projects to move forward and help build the town's way out of economic hardship.
"I think that's a positive in an otherwise dark time," he said.