Article Summary

Mark Tayti, "Infrastructure Needs are Group's Concern," Welland Tribune, February 16, 2002.

HCARN, a lobby group comprising 36 area heavy construction firms, has launched a new website as part of its campaign to raise public awareness about the dire state of Niagara's infrastructure in the wake of a Spring 2001 study commissioned by the group. The study oncluded that 60% of the region's roads are substandard to poor and recommended a $42.7 million investment for immediate repairs.

Rick Phibbs, HCARN president, says that politicians and citizens are starting to realize the need to maintain a safe infrastructure, and points out that the benefits of infrastructure spending include attracting new economic investment into the community and saving money on repairs down the road.

HCARN is actively seeking public input and opinions on a variety of issues. Members will visit area malls in March and April, including Fairview Mall in St. Catharines, Niagara Square in Niagara Falls and Seaway Mall in Welland, or are asking people to complete an Infrastructure Survey online through HCARN's website.