Another funding request, and another rejection from the province for the Town of LaSalle.
Mayor Ken Antaya admits he's disappointed repeated requests for financial help have fallen on deaf ears after heavy traffic tore up Todd Lane during construction on the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Pkwy.
"I'm exhausted talking about this issue," says Antaya. "What is it we have to do to make you [the Ministry of Transportation] listen to us?"
Rebuilding the road has cost the municipality over $6.1-million.
Antaya says the latest response from the province was particularly galling.
"The ministry sent us back a letter saying; basically, there's no money," he says. "And in their own little way, they said 'You guys just don't realize how important Herb Gray Pkwy is, not only to the province and the country but also to your community.' We found that to be a bit condescending."
The town has also asked for and been rejected funding to fix drainage issues near the parkway.
Antaya suspects there are no avenues left for town council to pursue, but says he's not giving up. If the province doesn't help pay for repairs on Todd Lane, council will aggressively pursue funding for other infrastructure projects.
"We're going to continue whispering in their ear, hey, how about some cash," he says.
