Allyson Beauregard
Allyson Beauregard
PONTIAC – On August 7, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Pontiac MNA Andre Fortin announced funding for projects to improve and repair bridges and culverts in the Pontiac area. “There was a call for proposals to be submitted in June and I am very happy to say all of the Pontiac’s projects were approved. These projects are important for tourism, residents, and sportsmen who want to access public lands or the ‘Pontiac’s Playground’,” said Fortin.
The government
partnered with several organizations including
the MRC Pontiac (four projects totalling between $22,000 and $128,000),
the Pingouin Snowmobile Club, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, the Wright Lake Association, outfitters at Bryson Lake (project totalling $60,000) and Indian Lake, and the ZEC Rapides-Des-Joachims to realize 23 projects.
“For many years, the state of certain infrastructures on public land has worried users and residents. Because of their state, many bridges were simply closed. The investment from our government will allow residents, tourists, workers, sportsmen and others to cross many bodies of water safely. These bridges and culverts have a strategic importance to users who need access to public forests,” explained Fortin, who said he was approached by many municipalities when he first came into office asking what could be done about the state of public roads and bridges in the area.
Ten million dollars in funding, announced in Quebec’s 2015-2016 budget, was put aside for
projects across the province. The Pontiac’s projects, estimated to costs about $770,000 in total, will receive provincial funding for between 50 and 80
percent of the costs. “The level of funding depends on the needs of the specific project,” explained Fortin, who indicated another call for proposals could be launched next year for another $10 million in
funding depending on the demand.
According to Fortin, much of the work will be completed this year, but some will continue into next year as well.
