Maley Drive extension could happen soon, Marianne Matichuk says

Sudbury'soutgoing mayor is hopeful she can deliver the long-awaitedMaleyDrive extension with just a month left in her term.

In her final council meeting as mayor, MarianneMatichukmade her last words about the $80-million project. After the provincecommitted to their third ofthe project this spring, she now says the federal government is game as well.

However,Infrastructure Canada said it cannot consider individual projects for funding until it receives a priority list from the province.

• Unseated Sudburycouncillors say final goodbyes

"Once the province puts that [money] on the table, the feds are ready to do their due diligence and move it forward," said Matichuk, who did not run for re-election.

Matichuk saidher recent meeting with federal officials went so well, she believes the cheque could be cut before December.

Successor less bullish on extension

In less than a month, a new city councilled by incoming mayorBrian Bigger will take over.

Bigger wasn't available for an interview on Wednesday,but during hiscampaignhe questioned why the Maley extension was at the top of the city's priority list.

"I haven't actually got a straight answer or anybody who can tell me when it was put on and why it has been put on," he said.

Even Matichuk's vision of the extension has been scaled back, running from Municipal Road 80 to Barrydowne Road. The original, $130-millionversion would have runto Highway 17.