Many of Ward 21’s Infrastructure Projects and Upgrades are Underway

By David Brown, Rideau Jock Councillor

Two years ago this month, I was doing interviews leading up to the 2022 election. I said that one priority for the ward must be investing more in fixing our roads. Many resurfacing plans and roadway upgrades had been languishing. Now, the necessary investments are being made and projects are underway.

For some residents, it may seem like construction is happening all at once. Many long-delayed infrastructure projects that are critical to our growing communities are now being started after much persistence from my office.

One of the reasons why construction can be delayed is a shortage of available construction crews as the City contracts out much of the infrastructure work that needs to be done. While there is not one reason why there have been delays to necessary projects in the ward, I am happy that progress is being made.

In the 2024 road resurfacing budget, Ward 21 received nearly 25% of the budget – the most of all the wards in the city. This does not include road preservation projects or rural road upgrades (when a gravel road is paved). In the 2023 resurfacing budget, Ward 21 was allocated under 8% of the total investment. This represents a significant increase in tax dollars that will be put towards improving our roads.

The City evaluates pavement condition, road classification, and traffic volume as some of the main qualifiers for resurfacing.

There are hundreds of roads across the City that need investment. The City prioritizes high-volume arterial roads over smaller, quiet residential roads when planning its resurfacing projects. However, small improvements can still be made. Between this year and last, we have been able to get four residential streets into the budget, and we are pushing for more.

Pothole repairs are a major operational priority every year. If you see a pothole in the community, it is helpful to report it to the City as soon as possible. Below are a few details to remember before reporting a pothole:

• Identify the cardinal directions (i.e. the pothole is in the southbound lane or on the north side of a particular intersection)
• A brief, relevant description of the pothole (eg. the approximate size and depth)
• A photograph is accepted, but not required
• A nearby civic address or intersection

While crews repair potholes in the wet, cold months of the year, the best time to fill a pothole is in the hot, dry summer months. Reporting a pothole this summer will allow the repair to last a lot longer as opposed to reporting it in the winter or spring.

Please call 3-1-1 if a pothole on the road is related to construction activity, an immediate hazard to people or property, or personal accessibility.

My office is always ready to resolve issues or ease concerns for residents and I know how frustrating and disruptive construction-related and road infrastructure activity can be. My office works closely with City staff and construction project managers to ensure that a detailed plan is in place to minimize the impacts on residents. At the end of the day, I am glad that the investments are being made to get more things done here in Ward 21.