The province’s transportation ministry announced on June 6 an investment of $197 million for road work in the Outaouais over the next two years, including nine projects in the Pontiac.

Eight of the nine projects will begin this year, including pavement repairs on Highway 148’s four-lane section, repairs on a bridge over the Picanoc River on Polish Hills Road, and paving work on Highway 301 between Highway 366 and Stephens Road.

But Pontiac MNA André Fortin says the Pontiac’s share of this funding has fallen short. He said while the four-lane work is long overdue, the government cannot claim it is a new investment since the work began last year but was abandoned due to lack of funds.

“The list that was published by the ministry, I think unfortunately reflects the fact that a lot of the projects were suspended last year,” he said. “It’s good news that they are completing the work, but it’s not new investments by any means.”

The list of projects says paving of Highway 301 between the 366 and Otter Lake is projected to conclude in the fall of 2025, but Fortin said due to a lack of past government follow-through on the project he will believe it when he sees it.

“I will be prudent in taking a wait-and-see approach on that one. It’s one that the ministry has promised year after year and failed to deliver on, so until the trucks are on site and doing work, I will reserve my congratulations for that one,” he said.

Fortin said one glaring omission from the list is the Highway 303 on the north end of Shawville. “That is an absolutely egregious piece of asphalt right now,” he said.

“Given the fact that it’s probably one of the most critical [pieces of] road infrastructure in Shawville, it needs to happen sooner than later.”

Fortin said his understanding is that the project is on the MTQ’s five-year plan that does not get published. “To us, it’s one that can’t wait five years,” he said.