The Town of Hawkesbury and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) have finalized a connecting link agreement for Main Street, outlining how future road improvement costs will be shared between the two levels of government.
Hawkesbury Council approved the agreement during a special meeting on Thursday, July 16, following the UCPR’s approval of the same agreement in June. The deal covers approximately 3.3 kilometres of Main Street between the east and west sections of Front Road/County Road 4.
While Main Street will remain under the Town of Hawkesbury’s ownership and jurisdiction, the agreement allows the municipality to receive financial assistance from the UCPR for major capital projects, including road reconstruction and infrastructure upgrades. Routine maintenance costs, such as snow removal, will continue to be the responsibility of the Town.
Under the agreement, the UCPR will contribute toward future reconstruction projects on Main Street West, including a portion of paving, asphalt removal, and storm sewer rehabilitation. For Main Street East, the UCPR will also help fund pavement work and contribute toward any required storm sewer replacement.
Hawkesbury has been the only municipality within Prescott and Russell without a designated county road. Council previously asked the UCPR to take full responsibility for Main Street as a county road, arguing the route serves an important regional transportation role. Instead, the UCPR opted to explore other solutions, leading to the creation of the new cost-sharing agreement.
Councillors welcomed the agreement, recognizing the efforts of Mayor Robert Lefebvre and municipal staff in reaching a deal with the UCPR.
Councillor Tony Tsourounakis said the agreement represents an important step for the community, noting Hawkesbury’s unique position as the only municipality in the region without a county road.
Connecting link agreements are common across Ontario, allowing municipalities and regional governments to share costs on important roadways. Similar agreements are also in place locally, including for Highway 34 through Hawkesbury and Vankleek Hill.