We know you’re wondering – when will my road be renewed? The City of Ottawa is responsible for more than 6,000 kilometers of roads in both urban and rural areas. This includes roads of every kind such as highways, arterials, collectors, federal, transit, local roads, and laneways. So, it’s safe to say, prioritizing roads for renewal is no easy feat.
The process for selecting roads for resurfacing depends on a number of prioritization factors. All City assets undergo lifespan reviews, but improvements can’t all be done at once. With the help of pavement management software and engineering assessments, we ensure the right treatments are applied to the right roads at the right time.
Maintaining our roads in five steps
As illustrated in the graphic below, the City’s Pavement Management Process follows five steps:
- Data collection
- Identifying needs
- Coordination
- Road design and construction
- Closeout and the repeat process
We’ve broken down each step for you, to hopefully better explain why some roads are being renewed now, and others, later.
Step 1: Data collection
We collect data with an Automatic Road Analyzer. These special vehicles are equipped with lasers and sensors which measure the rate (how often) and severity (how bad) of the defects within the pavement, as the vehicle drives.
Pavement data is collected more frequently on roads that tend to deteriorate more quickly due to the higher traffic volume and heavier vehicle weight:
- Every 2-years for Highway 174, transitways and bus lanes
- Every 3-years for arterials and collectors
- Every 5-years for local roads
The data is entered into our pavement management software which performs complex calculations using factors such as road type, pavement condition, traffic volume, and cost. Pavement age is not a factor in the performance of the road, but traffic, drainage, and existing pavement structure, are.
Step 2: Identifying needs
The software generates a list of road renewal needs and priorities, which is then analyzed by City engineering staff. A short list is made based on considerations such as traffic volume, current condition, and road type, as illustrated in the graphic below.
The higher-use roads, such as highways, arterials and collectors, receive a higher priority. City staff review the entire road network and inspect the shortlisted roads to confirm their condition and establish renewal options to optimize the lifecycle of the roadway. The results are compiled into a detailed work plan.
Step 3: Coordination
The work plan is shared across City departments to coordinate with other projects planned internally or with external partners as well. This optimizes efforts, costs, and avoids having to redo work. Infrastructure projects that could be coordinated with road renewal are:
- Sewer and culvert repairs or replacements
- Watermain repairs or replacements
- Intersection improvements
- Traffic calming
- Utility projects
- Cycling and pedestrian facility projects
- Road projects in new developments
Step 4: Road design and construction
Once the coordination is completed, the right road renewal technique is chosen for each road. This is done through one more step where historical data is collected and soil conditions are inspected. City staff then determine the best technique for each project, based on three levels of repair:
- Preventative measures like crack sealing
- Road resurfacing and replacement of the top layers of asphalt
- Full reconstruction and replacement of the road structure
The result is a five-year plan for road renewal projects which is then implemented during the construction season, typically from May to November.
Step 5: Closeout and repeat
As projects are completed, the pavement management database is updated, and any unfinished projects are carried over to the next year. The process then starts again for the next five-year cycle.
Stay current on all City road work
In 2025, Council will consider all Asset Management Plans, which includes roads, with target levels of service, along with an updated financial strategy.
If you want to know about any road renewal projects in the City, visit the interactive map for upcoming projects, project start dates, details on project scope and more. For more information on road renewal and other construction projects visit the City’s construction and infrastructure webpage.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.