Espanola’s town administrator, Cynthia Townsend, says it’s a huge relief. Townsend was reacting to news that the province is giving Espanola $1.3 million to replace the Black Creek culvert at the south end of town. The 40-year-old culvert keeps Highway 6 connected to Manitoulin and Birch Island and if it ever broke, the highway would be shutdown. But with work starting this year, Townsend says area municipalities and First Nations can now take a breath. She adds, although it’s not part of the funding, the rehab work also takes in the Al Secord Trail so it can re-open.