Bible Hill hoping for share of federal gas tax money from county

The Village of Bible Hill is requesting a portion of Colchester County’s federal gas tax funding to help it undertake a sidewalk/ storm sewer line reconstruction project on Pictou Road.

If granted, the shared funding could also make it possible to install a municipal water line in the area.

“We would love to be planning for it in our next budget but that is why we’re asking for some cost sharing,” village chair Lois MacCormick said. “In the past we’ve had very much success sharing with the county so we just thought we would put the bug in their ear and ask if we could be considered.”

The village is currently undertaking pre- engineering design work for replacement of the “well-used” existing asphalt sidewalk that runs from 25 Pictou Road (the Subway restaurant) up to 101 Pictou Road (Blanchard Avenue).

The proposed project involves approximately 740 metres of concrete sidewalk, curb and storm sewer drainage.

The water supply to residences and businesses along that stretch is from private wells and Mac- Cormick said it would be an ideal time to also install a municipal water line while the other construction work is taking place.

Villages by themselves are not eligible for a share of the federal gas tax funding.

“ e sidewalk is deteriorating there, and we really should put a water line in when we have it all ripped up,” Maccormick said. “There is a need and we were hoping that they would share some of the gas tax funding.”

Cost gures for the sidewalk project have yet to be determined.

Colchester County Council directed sta to further investigate the request and report back at a later date.

e county and the village have partnered on a variety of past projects including the recently completed sidewalk on Village Line Avenue.

Installing a water line in the area would also allow for re hydrants to be installed in front of the Dalhousie University’s Cox Institute building, she said. During last summer’s re at that site, numerous tanker loads of water had to be trucked to the re from Truro.

“Let’s hope we never see a situation like that again, rst of all,” Maccormick said. “But it is important to have a good water draw up Pictou Road.”