Dryden receives an update on the state of its infrastructure

44 percent of Dryden’s infrastructure, things like sewer, water, roads and bridges, are in good to very good condition.

But a new report shows that 36 percent is in poor to very poor condition.

Hemson Contracting has released a report on the city’s asset management plan.

City treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll admits it’s going to be very costly to make improvements in the future.

“When we start going through this work over the next 12 months, it’s going to be a very (big) eye opener for council and our community,” Lansdell-Roll told council this week during their open meeting.

“The reality is we’re going to have to invest more into our infrastructure than what we have been over the last few years.”

Andrew Mirabella from Hemson Consultants suggests the City of Dryden is at the high end of infrastructure costs for municipalities in the province.

“Line area-wise, all the responsibility of water, sewer and storm, and just with a population of just under 8,000, puts you on a per capita that is pretty high.”

Overall, the City of Dryden’s infrastructure has been calculated at $773.4 million, or about $105,000 per capita.