Infrastructure woes get little attention in Ontario election

The lack of funds to repair Ontario's aging roads and bridges may be a serious problem for many cities,but political scientists say it's one issueparty leaders are unlikely to address in their campaigns.

"It's not a sexy topic," said Jonathan Malloy, a political scientist at Carleton University. 'Politicians know there isn't a lot of excitement in talking about maintaining sewer pipes and that stuff."

But Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien wants party leaders to discuss how they can provide stable, consistent funding for infrastructure through the re-direction of income or sales taxes.

"I think it's a fundamental debate that I'd like to see happen during the next provincial election here in Ontario," he said. "It hasn't happened yet.

Much ofOttawa's roadways were built in the 1950s and 1960s and now the city is responsible for 700 bridges, more than 5,000 kilometres of roads and the sewer lines beneath them.

Although many need upgrades, funding shortfalls mean renovations may be put off, said Wayne Newell, Ottawa's director of infrastructure services.

"When it comes to the roadside, we are right now, at this point in time, spending approximately 50 per cent of what we should be," he said. "That equates to about $60 million and we would like to be spending about $120 million."

As an example, he points to the crack and dips along Carling Avenue, one of the city's main arterial roads. The inability to properly repair such roads means the city must spend more money on maintaining them, he added.

However, he said he is confident Ottawa's bridges aren't currently at risk of collapsing like overpasses in Laval, Que. or Minneapolis, Minn.

"What's important is when we look into the future, when some of these bridges really need to be fixed, we make sure we have the funds in place to be able to do so," Newell said.

Meanwhile, Ottawa mechanic Kevin Follows says poorly maintained roads are taking a toll on local vehicles, including one he saw Wednesday that barely survived a pothole and will need new rims and tires at a cost of more than $2,000.

"Personally, I'm seeing a lot more of it now," he said.