Taylor looks to UBCM for funding towards roads and water projects

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The District of Taylor is to submit two funding applications for long-term projects in the community.

The district is seeking the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)’s support in securing safer roads and potable water. 

During the September 2nd meeting, the District of Taylor council agreed to submit applications to two separate streams of the UBCM’s Strategic Priorities Fund.

According to UBCM, the fund is for local governments and recipients outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District, and supports infrastructure and capacity-building projects that are “either large in scale, regional in impact or innovative.” 

While no exact number was specified by UBCM, the 2024-2034 intake of the grant will provide up to $125 million for approved projects across the province. Applicants can receive up to all of the costs of projects up to $7 million. 

District of Taylor staff explained to the council that the funding – if granted – would go towards the construction of the Pine Avenue East extension and investigating a new long-term water source for the community. 

The Pine Avenue East extension project is a road development intended to prioritize the safety of residents near Cherry Avenue East and the CN Rail Highway 97 intersection. 

“Currently, industrial traffic is passing through a residential area of the district and entering or exiting Highway 97 at the CN Rail crossings, which is less than ideal for passenger traffic and pedestrian traffic through this area,” a report from staff said. 

“Increased movement through this area would further negatively impact the safe flow of…traffic.” 

The district has commissioned Urban Systems to research the development of an industrial bypass road to “relocate anticipated increased truck traffic” expected following the sale of a local Canfor mill. 

The staff report did not outline the possible cost of the project, but did state the district “fully qualifies” to apply and possibly receive up to all of the eligible project costs. 

The second project for which the district is seeking UBCM funding, the long-term water source, has been under investigation by the district since the Old Fort landslide near Fort St. John in 2020.

Staff explained the landslide had shown “how vulnerable the current source of water for the municipality is.” 

A report conducted in 2022 by Urban Systems identified three possible sources of water, and if approved, the UBCM grant would allow the district to explore the most promising location for feasibility. 

No exact costs for the project were outlined, however staff did confirm it could be fully covered by the UBCM grant, with “no foreseen upfront costs” for the district. 

The report did not specify when the council could hear back from UBCM regarding the applications.