News Detail

The projects will accommodate a population boom, projected to reach 50,500 by 2031, and bring jobs to the designated employment lands along Hwy. 400. Council had approved an early payment agreement with developers for these construction projects last December. However, council then asked to delay the repayment date of the non-residential portion of the agreement — amounting to $54 million — by two years to 31.12.2025, and the agreement had to be finalised between the developers’ group and the municipality. The developers’ group, consisting of nine companies, has agreed to the extension and now council has given its approval to forge ahead.

The agreement will pay for $78.1 million for water infrastructure, $24.4 million for waster water infrastructure and $96.5 million for roads. There are nine road projects included in the deal, including the 5th Line interchange at Hwy. 400, widening several roads, paving new arterial roads and more.

The developers’ group will advance $93.9 million, which the town will use to finance these infrastructure projects. There are some risks for the municipality, however, in signing this deal. Among them is Innisfil’s $11.7-million share of the water treatment plant expansion. The total estimated cost of the Alcona plant expansion is $31.1 million, of which $19.4 million is attributable to Bradford.

Through the agreement, the developers are entitled to recover the portion of the Innisfil costs by 31.12.2018. A Bradford town staff report indicates Innisfil anticipates enough growth to require the expansion before that date. However, if Innisfil does not, Bradford will be on the hook for the $11.7 million. Another risk is a $53.9-million portion being provided to fund the non-residential share (business) of the growth-related infrastructure. The developers’ group is owed this portion by 31.12.2025, with interest.

The town would recover those non-residential costs when it collects development charges from businesses that move into town. Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer and Councillor Gary Lamb voted against the motion. Along with approving the early payment agreement, council has given town staff the go-ahead early on a number of capital projects included in the agreement. This includes the construction of a water tower in Bond Head and a water main on Sideroad 5 from County Road 88 to 8th Line.

Deputy Mayor Keffer questioned the need for these projects, when they will be needed to service some of the last stages of the early payment agreement. The town’s director of engineering Arup Mukherjee said town staff sought council’s approval on these projects so that they could begin the detailed design process. This will allow the town to get the designs for more than $100 million worth of the infrastructure projects, rather than doing it piece by piece. Additionally, council can approve the actual start of these construction projects during the regular capital budget process. The water main and water tower will cost $5.7 million, most of which will be paid through development charges.

Lastly, council approved a contract for the construction of the new Green Valley Sanitary Pumping Station to BECC Construction Group Ltd. The station, along with a new force main, will support growth in the Green Valley area of Bradford (south end), estimated at approximately 1,000 homes. Mr. Mukherjee said construction on this project could begin sometime in 2015 or 2016.

Source-On Request