Road Rehabilitation Update: Investment in Ward 21
We're happy to share the latest updates on road resurfacing and rehabilitation here in Ward 21. After years of chronic underfunding, Ottawa is finally turning a corner with a dedicated budget for local road repaving—something not seen since amalgamation in 2001.
New Investment for Local Roads
Until now, resurfacing local roads typically occurred only under emergency conditions or if they were part of a transit route. That changes this year with the introduction of a dedicated $13 million budget for local roads—a first for the City of Ottawa. In total, the City will spend:
$89 million to repave main roads in 2025
$14 million to preserve ageing main roads
$13 million for local road resurfacing (expected to cover ~17 km this year)
With over 4,000 km of local roads across Ottawa, this new funding is an important first step. To grow the program, Council has approved a $1 million year-over-year increase in the local resurfacing budget.
Despite this progress, it’s important to be realistic. After 24 years with little to no investment in our local roads, Ward 21 may not see much of the new local roads budget immediately. That said, Ward 21 received a remarkable $36 million last year—one-third of the City’s entire 2024 resurfacing budget—more than any of the other 23 wards. This funding led to the resurfacing of:
Franktown Road
Flewellyn Road
Fallowfield Road
Roger Stevens Drive
Conley Road
North section of Eagleson Road
These projects have made a meaningful difference, and we’ll continue advocating for further investment in our area.
2025 Road Projects in Ward 21
Here’s a breakdown of upcoming road rehabilitation projects happening this year in and around Ward 21:
Why Resurfacing Takes Time
Road resurfacing is a costly and complex process, with a single kilometre costing around $800,000. Projects often involve multiple layers of work—including culvert replacements and other infrastructure improvements—coordinated to maximize long-term value.
While I would love to have more control over which roads are chosen, resurfacing decisions are made exclusively by the City’s Roads Department, which prioritizes work based on road conditions city-wide.
Ward 21 is finally seeing real progress after decades of deferred investment. I remain committed to pushing for further improvements and ensuring our roads are safer and more accessible for everyone.