Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
STRATHROY-CARADOC - The municipality is poised to significantly improve its road infrastructure over the next decade, following the recent presentation of a comprehensive road needs study by B.M. Ross and Associates. This extensive study, discussed at the November 18 council meeting, outlines a strategic approach to maintaining and rehabilitating 255 kilometers of municipal roads, aimed at ensuring safety and optimizing long-term expenditures.
The 2024 Road Needs Study updates the 2015 study and highlights several areas requiring immediate attention due to deteriorating conditions. It suggests that much of the road network, while generally in fair to good condition, shows signs of decline that could lead to higher future costs if not addressed. Key to the study’s findings is the comparison of current road conditions to those in 2015, indicating a noticeable deterioration in infrastructure quality.
The study employs a detailed methodology using the Ministry of Transportation Ontario’s standards for road assessment, focusing on paved roads while excluding gravel paths from this particular analysis. It provides condition scores for each road section, identifying those that need rehabilitation within the next ten years and assigning a cost to each proposed work.
Fiscal analysis within the study reveals that the municipality has historically underfunded road maintenance, leading to a cumulative infrastructure deficit. From 2016 to 2024, actual spending on road resurfacing and reconstruction fell significantly short of the amounts recommended in the 2015 study, with a shortfall of over $15 million. The new study recommends a substantial increase in funding, estimating a need for $67 million over the next decade to adequately address road repairs and upgrades.
Significantly, the report prioritizes roads with higher traffic volumes and those in worse condition for earlier rehabilitation. It also integrates road maintenance projects with necessary upgrades to water and wastewater systems to reduce overall disruption and cost. This approach reflects a shift towards more sustainable infrastructure practices, aiming to extend the lifespan of road assets through regular and effective maintenance, including crack sealing and patching.
The presentation highlighted several specific roads, such as Glengyle Drive, Amiens Road, and Parkhouse Drive, that may require conversion from low-class bitumen to high-class bitumen to accommodate increasing traffic and enhance durability. It also noted the necessity of geotechnical investigations and appropriate drainage improvements to support these upgrades.
Council’s reception of the report was marked by a keen awareness of the challenges and responsibilities of maintaining and improving the road network.
Discussions centered around the need for realistic budgeting that aligns with the detailed projections of the road needs study. Council members expressed concern over the historical underfunding and emphasized the importance of adhering to the study’s recommendations to prevent further degradation of the road network.
