WHEREAS the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program Policy Manual, Section 4, Policy 1: Project Eligibility, Point 1 states:

“The proposed project roadway shall:

c) Have a Rural Road Classification of 3,4, or 5 or the roadway is designated as a Clearing the Path corridor.”

WHEREAS the RIRG program Policy Manual, Section 4, Policy 2: Road Design Requirements, Point 3 states:

“The design of the roadway shall meet the following requirements:

a)  Minimum design speed of 90km/h;

b)  Minimum road top width of 8.6m, crowned with a cross slope of 3 to 4%;

c)  Minimum right-of-way of 42m;

i)  The right-of-way shall be purchased and cleared;

ii)  The roadway centreline shall be located on the centre of the 42m right-of-way;

d)  Maximum side slope steepness shall be determined as follows:

i)  Locations with a maximum fill height less than or equal to 4.15 m;

–  Side slope steepness shall be 4:1;

ii)  Locations with a maximum fill height greater than 4.15 m and less than or equal to 5.55m:

–  Side slope steepness shall be varied between 4:1 and 3:1;

–  The toe of the fill shall be at 21 m from road centerline; and

–  Any other present or eminent characteristics of the location that would adversely affect the safety of the location shall be identified and suitably mitigated, and the Engineer may request advice from the Program Administrator;

iii)  Locations with maximum fill heights greater than 5.55 m in height;

–  Proposed side slope steepness shall be approved by the PMB.

–  The Road Authority shall contact the Program Administrator to receive information regarding the approval process.

e)  Minimum ditch width of 4 m;

i)  Maximum ditch backslope steepness of 3:1 inside property line;

ii)  Maximum ditch backslope steepness of 6:1 to 10:1 outside the property line, or required by any easement agreement;

f)  Maximum gradient of 8%;

g)  For curves:

i)  Maximum super elevation of 0.08 m/m;

ii)  Minimum curve radius of 300 m; and

iii)  Spiral Transitions shall be required for curve radius of 400 m or less.”

WHEREAS rural municipalities would rarely meet these requirements for funding.

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the provincial government to expand project eligibility under the RIRG program by revisiting the Road Design Requirements so that more rural municipalities qualify for funding.