Highland Street to get makeover

Highland Street to get makeover
Rick Johnson, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP, announced July 12 that the core of Haliburton's downtown will be refurbished to help satisfy growing needs and boost the economy.

This revitalization will include improving roads and curbs, bringing in new vehicle and pedestrian lighting, along with interlocking brick sidewalks and updated drainage, buried communication utilities and electrical support.

"I'm extremely pleased to make the announcement today, it's going to be great for the downtown. I know we've been talking about this for a couple of years," said Johnson.

The hydro poles will be removed, and sleek black poles with LED lights will be put in place. The improvements will take place on Highland Street and the area around the intersection at Maple Avenue, a few feet up Cedar Avenue and ending just past the Haliburton Echo office.

The improvements are part of an eligible project cost of $1,695,030, where the province of Ontario will contribute a third of the costs and the municipality with contribute a third, which is approximately $565,010.

This is part of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan Building Together project to help rebuild communities.

Dysart et al Reeve Murray Fearrey was at the announcement on the corner of Highland Street and Maple Avenue, and he thanked Johnson for all his hard work.

"I think I speak for council and the community when I say we're delighted," Fearrey said about the improvements.

"To see the difference [this project] will make, it's really going to improve the area, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this job get done," Johnson said.

Dysart et al road superintendent Brian Nicholson plans to get started on the project after returning from vacation and they hope to get to work this winter.