Current necessities and building for the future

Infrastructure is the underlying foundation or basic framework of the city, such as roads, buildings, water and wastewater management. Part of the City’s Strategic Priorities is to manage, budget and accommodate for future growth, while considering global warming, new technologies, historically significant buildings and environmentally sensitive spaces.

The Provincial Government has mandated that municipalities invest in Asset Management planning, an ongoing and long-term process that allows us to make the best possible investment decisions for our infrastructure assets. This includes building, operation, maintenance, renewal, replacement and disposal.

Infrastructure is the underlying foundation or basic framework of the city, such as roads, buildings, water and wastewater management. Part of the City’s Strategic Priorities is to manage, budget and accommodate for future growth, while considering global warming, new technologies, historically significant buildings and environmentally sensitive spaces.

The Provincial Government has mandated that municipalities invest in Asset Management planning, an ongoing and long-term process that allows us to make the best possible investment decisions for our infrastructure assets. This includes building, operation, maintenance, renewal, replacement and disposal.  Through this plan, we need to balance between addressing current infrastructure needs and planning for the future.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Some of our core infrastructure is dated and needs to be replaced, such as our waste water treatment facilities.  There are plans to build a new South Niagara Wastewater Treatment plant.  The Niagara Region has committed funds, but there has not been fully realized commitments from the Province or Federal governments.  Without the wastewater treatment plant, Niagara Falls will not be able to address the current issues in the City, specifically in Chippawa or build more houses.

 

Destination Niagara:

Infrastructure related to the Destination Niagara strategy and the roles of each levels of government must be fully understood.  Taxpayers of the City of Niagara Falls can’t be expected to take on new major expenses to support the regional strategy.

 

Trains and Rail Crossings:

Lori still hears concerns from residents and businesses with the rail crossings cutting through the heart of the city. Long delays and most especially the impediment of emergency vehicles will become an ever-increasing problem as our city continues to grow.

Options that have been discussed with CN are limited and even the most practical solutions are expensive. Lori believes that a louder call for active participation by all levels of government and other stakeholders to work to arrive at a solution as soon as possible is crucial.

 

Walking, cycling trails and bike lanes:

We have long invested in city wide trails from one end of the community to the other. It’s an accomplishment we can be proud of. That said, progress can be made on easy connectivity between segments of the trail with improved accommodations for bike lanes. Connectivity with the adjoining Parkway bike trail could be addressed as well, while keeping in mind budget and other infrastructure needs.