The Town of Essex Administration have been working with the County to discuss plans for roadwork and the completion of the County Road 50 West paved shoulder. The trail heading West is much more complicated than the trail going East. In 2019 council decided to go all the way East and come back to review the West. This made sense from a contracting point of view and a financial point of view. Instead of doing the remaining stretch on the East portion in 3 segments it was faster and cheaper to use 2019, 2020 and 2021 budgeted dollars to finish the East side in one year.
This now brings us to the 2022 budget, and I have been hearing from residents about their wish and the communities need for completing the West side along with the road rehabilitation work. Anyone who have driven County Road 50 West lately would likely agree it is in bad shape. It may not be the worst County Road though and that is where the County decides which roads get done that are County owned- NOT the Town of Essex.
It is looking hopeful that the County will rehab the section of road from Dunn to Dahinda and this would be 100% of the County’s cost. The remaining paved trails on County Road 50 going West are a cost sharing agreement between the Town and the County. The Town pays 60% and the County 40%. We have asked for cost estimates so we can look at completing this in future budgets. Does that mean more work will be done in 2022? I do not know yet, so I am not making any promises. It makes sense to fix the road and do the paved shoulder at the same time, so both departments have to plan for that.
The next section of the paved shoulder after Dahinda is a very complicated section. It is narrow with ditches and poles etc. The Town of Essex has traditionally set aside $75000 for CWATS trails. When the 2022 budget comes out I will be sure to update everyone on this very important project. This project not only takes dollars but it also takes the County and the Town working together, something they have both done very well in the past. If money was no object I am sure the entire length would of been done right now but unfortunately budget constraints are real.
I wanted to let the residents of Colchester know that I acknowledge this project as being a priority and that I am hearing concerns about a lack and paved trail, a failing road paired with an increase in traffic. When I know more I will share more.
