News Release
Proposed Capital Budget Focuses on Transit, Roads, Parks and Playgrounds
(Tuesday, May 30/06)--The proposed 2006/2007 Capital Budget contains significant increases for Metro Transit, streets and roads, traffic improvements, sidewalks, parks and playgrounds.
The report states that only $32 million of the total $192.4 million recommended gross Capital Budget will have to be funded through borrowing this year. The total gross budget includes those projects funded by specific reserves and external funding sources, such as $69 million for the sewers and Harbour Solutions Project, and $7.4 million for industrial parks.
Proposed Capital Budget increases this year in the following categories:
• Metro Transit $6.9 million
• Traffic improvements $6.2 million
• Roads and Streets $3.2 million
• Sewers $1.1 million
• Sidewalks $300,000
• Parks and Playgrounds $800,000
• Community facilities $400,000
The federal government has announced funding for transit systems; however, details and conditions have not yet been communicated. The proposed Capital Budget assumes HRM will receive $11 million from this fund in 2006/07. If this funding is not received, not all the transit projects provided in the proposed Capital Budget will proceed.
Capital Budget Highlights
• Transit bus fleet expansion
• Transit fare box replacement
• Transit terminal upgrade and expansion
• Vehicle tracking and communication system for transit
• Emission reduction for transit buses
• Middle Sackville interchange connections
• Road corridor land acquisitions, including the Lacewood Four Lane/Fairview Interchange
• Armdale Rotary Conversion/Chebucto Road reversing lane
• Intersection improvements
• HRM-wide tree planting
• New streets tree program
• New park development
• Outdoor spray pools and foundations
• Skate board facilities
• Downtown streetscapes
• Burnside development
• Partial closure of Cell #3 – Otter Lake Solid Waste Facility
Staff acknowledged there are pressures for capital investment not met in the proposed budget. Demands unmet include sewers building maintenance, new community facilities, the replacement of the Spring Garden Road library, fire fleet, land acquisition for new facilities and parks required in the future, rural transit, etc.
Betty MacDonald, Director of Business Planning and Information Management, said “It is a matter of choices. Staff believes the proposed Capital Budget balances the needs of the community and prudent management of existing assets within the fiscal framework. However, the final choices will be made by Regional Council.”
Council debate of the proposed 2006/2007 Capital Budget is expected to begin June 13, 2006.
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Betty MacDonald
Director, Business Planning
490-4769
