Ottawa’s Roadmap to Resurfacing
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “When will my road get fixed?”—you’re not alone. Road conditions are one of the top concerns I hear from residents across our rural communities. I am steadfast in advocating for the infrastructure improvements that matter most to us. That’s why, in 2025, we’re investing over $100 million into resurfacing, pavement preservation, and road rehabilitation projects—ensuring our roads are safer, stronger, and built to last.
With more than 6,000 kilometers of roads under the City of Ottawa’s responsibility—including rural routes, local roads, arterials, and highways—ensuring timely, effective road renewal is a complex but critical task. While every corner of the city deserves attention, I will continue working to prioritize rural road infrastructure and traffic safety so that our communities remain accessible, connected, and safe.
How Ottawa Maintains Roads: A 5-Step Process
The City’s Pavement Management Process uses a combination of advanced technology and coordinated planning to make smart, fair decisions about which roads are renewed, and when. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Data Collection
Specialized vehicles called Automatic Road Analyzers gather laser- and sensor-based measurements on road conditions, identifying how often and how severely pavement is deteriorating.
Inspections occur at set intervals based on usage:
Every 2 years: Highway 174, transitways, and bus lanes
Every 3 years: Arterials and collectors
Every 5 years: Local and rural roads
The data is fed into pavement management software, which takes into account road condition, traffic volume, and structure—not simply age.
Step 2: Identifying Needs
This software generates a list of priority roads, which engineers then verify in person. Roads with higher usage, such as arterials and collectors, are typically prioritized—but I remain focused on ensuring that rural roads with safety and structural concerns are also given due attention.
Step 3: Coordinated Planning
To avoid duplication and maximize efficiency, the City aligns road projects with other planned work like:
Sewer and culvert upgrades
Intersection improvements
Traffic calming initiatives
Utility and development coordination
Cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
This collaboration helps stretch tax dollars further and ensures we’re fixing the right roads, at the right time.
Step 4: Road Design and Construction
Each renewal project is customized using a review of past road data and soil conditions. Depending on what’s needed, work could include:
Preventative maintenance like crack sealing
Resurfacing the top asphalt layers
Full reconstruction of the road base
These projects are carried out during Ottawa’s construction season, from May to November, as part of a rolling five-year plan.
Step 5: Closeout and Next Cycle
Once a project wraps, the data is updated, and any unfinished work is re-evaluated for the following year. This keeps the system dynamic and responsive.
You can always stay informed by exploring the City’s interactive roadwork map, which includes project timelines, locations, and details.
As your voice at City Hall, I’m committed to fighting for fair investment in rural infrastructure, advocating for smarter planning, and pushing for safer roads. Whether it’s improving traffic flow, repairing laneways, or enhancing road safety near schools and farms—our rural priorities matter.
For questions or concerns about roadwork or traffic safety in your area, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.