Bracebridge roads study indicates a 17 percent increase in adequacy
The 2023 Road Needs Study for Bracebridge reported a 17% increase in adequacy, in the June 4, 2024, General Committee meeting.
According to the roads study, the adequacy, not including critically deficient roads with Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) of less than 50 vehicles a day, is at 90%, up from 73% in the 2018 study.
A report by Director of Public Works, Geoff Carleton, indicates, “This improvement confirms the success of Council ongoing support of asset management planning and enhanced capital budget allocations.”
However, the report also indicates, “Of the 321 km of roads inventoried, a total of 81 km were found to be critically deficient in one or more areas, of which approximately 49 km represents needs with an AADT of 50 vehicles per day.”
It adds, “Regardless of condition, roads with AADT of 50 or less are assigned as Adequate as per the Inventory Manual for purposes of the system adequacy calculation.”
The report continues that 3.3% (6.5 km) of roads that are hard surface are a “NOW Need,” requiring “reconstruction or major rehabilitation as soon as possible to renew that service life.”
In March 2014 Council approved $100,000 for a “special roads reserve” for work needs other than what’s included in the Capital Plan.
“Since 2014 hard-surfaced roads with an AADT of 100 or less have been rehabilitated under the annual $100,000 Low Volume Road Rehabilitation Initiative. Gravel Road rehabilitation is completed separate through the Public Works Operating Budget, of which $150,000 is allocated in the 2024 Municipal Budget and Business Plan for this work,” indicates the report.
It adds that the Town included $370,000 in this year’s budget for application of slurry seal and micro surfacing of the roads.
The report concludes that a $200,000 allowance has also been included in the draft components of the Long-Term Capital Plan from 2025 to 2034 for preservation and preventative measures.
Staff will include an allocation in the draft 2028 Municipal Budget and Business Plan for the 2028 study.
Deputy Mayor, Brenda Rhodes, inquired about whether staff were keeping up with low volume roads.
Staff concurred that they were, as it’s a part of the Long-Term Capital Plan. He added, “There’s a lot still to do.”
Councillor, Andrew Struthers, inquired about whether staff were considering traffic calming measures previously discussed and whether this was being considered or whether it will be a separate study.
Staff advised that they will incorporate it as they build perspective, and based on changes and growth in the physical environment, such as active transportation.
Councillor, Archie Buie, inquired about whether staff will be using the $100,000 reserve, seeing as ten years has gone by since initially approved.
Staff discussed the importance of prevention management, indicating that they included it “because we’re not sure if we’ll need it next year.”
Buie inquired about what the $200,000 in the Long-Term Capital Plan will be used for.
Staff indicated that it allows for more options for maintaining the roads. They discussed the importance of quality treatments like slurry seal and micro surfacing materials as preventative measures, especially critical for endurance during the hot and cold weather cycles, to maintain the Town’s assets.
