Arran-Elderslie recently lost out on funding funding for the Chesley Big Dig project.
Mayor Ron Oswald says they were unsuccessful at getting 1.3 million dollars from the province for one-third the four-million dollar project.
Oswald says they have been granted the federal portion of the project, but they’ve been told if the project isn’t completed in a year, they might have to give it back.
The Mayor is hoping for good news when the provincial budget is introduced on March 26th.
The good news is the province did announce today 27 and a half billion dollars will be spent for work on roads, schools and transit.
Oswald says they still want to get the massive water, sewer and road project finished in 2010, even if provincial money doesn’t appear.
He would like to have the project finished before the next election, which takes place that year.
Oswald says Arran-Elderslie is responsible for the sewer and water portion, while Bruce County is responsible for the road work.
Oswald says most of the engineering work on the Big Dig has already taken place and Arran-Elderslie officials will be meeting with the engineer next week to review it.
He says they hope to make a case to the province asking for the funding again and that they aren’t going to let up with their request.