Roads

Rural road maintenance

The City improves road conditions by:

  • Patching potholes and repairing the road surface
  • Patching potholes with hot asphalt in both summer and winter
     

To report any road deficiencies such as potholes, please visit ServiceOttawa.ca

Ditches, culverts and catch basins

  • Crews remove snow and ice from some ditches.
  • Where required, culverts are thawed using a steamer
  • Crews clear roadway catch basins of ice and snow to promote drainage

Gravel roads and shoulders

  • Gravel roads are graded to create an even roadway surface
  • After the snow frost has lifted, crews perform spring maintenance operations, which include the continued grading of gravel roads and shoulders to re-establish an even road surface for smooth and safe driving after the winter months.

For more information about road maintenance operations, visit the Road Maintenance webpage. To report an issue, please visit ServiceOttawa.ca or call the City at 3-1-1.
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Road closure search tool

For citywide information on current road closures, construction and detours, use the roadwork and street closure search tool.
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Reporting a street light outage

The City operates and maintains street lighting. To report a street light outage, please contact the City by calling 3-1-1 or by e-mail at streetlighting@ottawa.ca.and provide an address for the street light location.
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Seasonal load restrictions on roads

During the spring thaw period, typically early March to mid-May, some roads cannot withstand heavy vehicle loads. Every year, the City monitors thaw progression by utilizing the forecast temperature data from Environment Canada and Weather Network to calculate the Thaw Index. When the Thaw Index reaches its threshold value, the load restrictions are imposed. The City also conducts deflection testing to monitor pavement strength as the thaw progresses. Once the pavement strength has been restored, the load restrictions are removed.

For complete and updated information, see Seasonal Road Restrictions.
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Tree pruning along roadways

The City is responsible for trimming trees on City property only. This includes the City owned portion of the roadway (road allowance) in front and at the side of residential lots and city parks and facilities.

For more information, see Trees and community forests.
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9-1-1 blade sign /civic address

Rural properties and buildings set back from the road greater than 30.5 m. (100 ft.) require a 9-1-1 blade sign installed at the roadway, adjacent to the primary access. For more information, see Municipal Addressing for Construction Projects.

Replacement of damaged mailboxes

Damage to rural mailboxes often occurs during winter, but a mailbox may be damaged by other types of road maintenance equipment. Find more information on Replacement of damaged mailboxes.
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