A Chatham-Kent councillor is hoping the provincial government will open its chequebook to help fix Talbot Trail.
A small section of the road between Coatsworth Road and Stevenson Road has been closed off since 2019 due to shoreline erosion.
The project to fix the section is still in the design phase, however, it's expected to cost around $5 million to get it safe to drive on again.
Anthony Ceccacci told CK News Today he wants to ask the province to foot the bill, not for the municipality but rather the agricultural sector.
"Talbot Trail is undeniably one of the economical drivers for agricultural goods throughout Chatham-Kent to Leamington, Essex," he said.
Ever since the road first closed, the municipality has been getting complaints from people in the agriculture sector.
Ceccacci explained tomato farmers seem to be the most affected as they mainly use the road to transport their product.
"People in the agriculture community tout the challenges to divert their traffic and the cost associated with the additional travel around," he added.
This request comes as the province has appointed Trevor Jones, the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, as the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
Ceccacci is optimistic the new minister will understand the importance of getting this road fixed.
"I don't know Minister Jones well but what I do know is he is a very firm believer and supporter of our local agricultural community. He has vast experience in it," he said.
The municipality expects a tender for the project to be sent out in the summer with construction starting soon after.
Ceccacci's request to the province will be discussed by CK's council at an upcoming meeting. It's not clear which meeting as Ceccacci is letting the Municipal Clerk decide due to a high number of motions coming from members of council.