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Town of Penetanguishene
Policy/Procedure
Policy Name: Maintenance Standards for Municipal Roads Policy
Policy Division:
Public Works Department
Department: Public Works - Roads
Division
Policy Number:
RDS-2024-01
Effective Date: July 11, 2024
Revision Date: June 2024
Supersedes: n/a
Date Approved by Council:
Corporate Policy (Approved by Council)
Administrative Policy (Approved by CAO)
[ X ]
[ ]
Related Documents/Legislation: O. Reg. 366/18: MINIMUM MAINTENANCE
STANDARDS FOR MUNICIPAL HIGHWAYS
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Town of Penetanguishene is committed to providing safe and accessible roads and
sidewalks to the community.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Regulation (239/02 amended to O.Reg. 366/18) is to clarify the scope by
establishing maintenance standards that are non-prescriptive as to the methods or materials to
be used in complying with the standards but instead describe a desired outcome.
SCOPE:
This policy applies to all municipally owned roads, parking lots, and sidewalks that are open to
the public in the winter or require winter access.
DEFINITIONS:
Bicycle Lanes means a portion of a roadway that has been designated by pavement markings
or signage for the preferential or exclusive use of cyclists, or a portion of a roadway that has
been designated for the exclusive use of cyclists by signage and a physical or marked buffer.
Day means a 24-hour period.
Ice means all kinds of ice, however, formed.
Non-paved Surface means a surface that is not a paved surface.
Patrolling Roads means to observe the highway, either by driving on or by electronically
monitoring the highway, and may be performed by persons responsible for patrolling highways or
by persons responsible for or performing highway maintenance activities.
Paved Surface means a surface with a wearing layer or layers of asphalt, concrete or asphalt
emulsion.
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 2
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
Potholes means a hole in the surface of a roadway caused by any means, including wear or
subsidence of the road surface or subsurface.
Roadway has the same meaning as subsection (1) of the Highway Traffic Act
Shoulder means the portion of a highway that provides lateral support to the roadway and that
may accommodate stopped motor vehicles and emergency use;
Sidewalk means the part of the highway specifically set aside or commonly understood to be for
pedestrian use, typically consisting of a paved surface but does not include crosswalks, medians,
boulevards, shoulders or any part of the sidewalk where cleared snow has been deposited
Significant Weather Event means an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the
potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within a municipality.
Snow Accumulation means the natural accumulation of any of the following that, alone or
together, covers more than half a lane width of a roadway:
1.
Newly-fallen snow.
2.
Wind-blown snow.
3.
Slush.
Substantial Probability means a significant likelihood considerably in excess of 51 percent.
Surface means the top of the sidewalk, roadway or shoulder.
Weather means air temperature, wind, and precipitation.
Weather Hazard & Significant Weather Event means the weather hazards determined by
Environment Canada as meeting the criteria for the issuance of an alert under its Public Weather
Alerting Program
Winter Patrolling a sidewalk means a visual observation of the sidewalk, either by driving by
the sidewalk on the adjacent roadway or by driving or walking on the sidewalk or by electronically
monitoring the sidewalk, and may be performed by persons responsible for patrolling roadways
or sidewalks or by persons responsible for or performing roadway or sidewalk maintenance
activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Public Works is responsible for ensuring that the Road Supervisor reviews this
policy annually and adheres to the policy.
The Road Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that employees understand and adhere to the
policy.
Employees are responsible for ensuring they have read and understand the policy and seek
further clarification of interpretation as needed.
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 3
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
PROCEDURES:
The Town has an obligation to maintain its road and sidewalk network to a safe level of
service. To that end, the Town has developed "Winter Maintenance Standards".
1.
Road Classification
Listed below is the Road Classification System set by the Ministry of Transportation. The
shaded areas indicated in the table below represent the range of road classes that apply
to the Town of Penetanguishene Road Network. Primary roads within the network will be
defined as Class 3 and Secondary roads will be defined under Class 4 and all other roads
will be considered Class 5.
The table below specifies the classification for roads based on ADT and Posted Speed
Limits.
CLASSIFICATION OF HIGHWAYS
Average Daily Traffic
(number of motor
vehicles)
Posted or Statutory Speed Limit (kilometers per
hour)
100-
91
90-
81
80-
71
70-
61
60-
51
50-
41
40-1
53,000 or more
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
23,000 - 52,999
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
15,000 or 22,999
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
12,000 - 14,999
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
10,000 - 11,999
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
8,000 - 9,999
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
6,000 - 7,999
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5,000 - 5,999
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
4,000 - 4.999
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
3,000 - 3,999
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
2,000 - 2.999
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
1,000 - 1,999
1
3
3
3
4
5
5
500 -
999
1
3
4
4
4
5
5
200 -
499
1
3
4
4
5
5
6
50 - 199
1
3
4
5
5
6
6
0- 49
1
3
6
6
6
6
6
O.Reg. 366/18, s.1(5).
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 4
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
General Notes
-
The majority of the Town's road sections have a 50 km/hour or 60 km/hour speed limit.
-
The ADT (Average Daily Traffic) for road sections in the Town range between 0 to
14,999 which includes Class 3 through to Class 6 categories, with the majority of the
roads being considered Class 4 or 5
-
The Town acknowledges that certain road sections are defined as Class 6; however,
for the purposes of this policy all of the Class 6 roads will be maintained to the Class
5 maintenance standard.
2.
Patrolling
The Road patrolling frequency is as set out in the table below. For example, Class 4
roads are to be inspected once every 14 days:
ROAD PATROLLING FREQUENCY
Class of
Highway
Patrolling Frequency
1
3 times every 7 days
2
2 times every 7 days
3
Once every 7 days
4
Once every 14 days
5
Once every 30 days
O. Reg. 239/02, s. 3.
The Town's Procedure is as follows
- Majority of the Town's roads fall within the Class 4 standard inspection frequency.
- Some of the primary or higher traffic roads are checked weekly;
- For example:
-
Robert Street West and East
Thompson Road
-
Main Street
Fuller Avenue
Church Street
Sandy Bay
Tay Point Road
Champlain Road
- During the Winter maintenance season, selected roads are patrolled daily.
Winter Sidewalk Patrolling
If it is determined by the municipality that the weather monitoring referred to below,
indicates that there is a substantial probability of snow accumulation on sidewalks in
excess of 8 cm, ice formation on sidewalks or icy sidewalks, the following
representative sidewalks will be patrolled three times daily:
Representative Streets:
Robert St East & West
Fox Street
Burke Street
Peel Street
Main Street
Poyntz Street
Edward Street
Dufferin Street
Hilltop Street
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 5
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
3.
Weather Monitoring
From October 1st to April 30th, the standard is to monitor the weather, both current and
forecast to occur in the next 24 hours, once every shift or three times per calendar day,
whichever is more frequent, at intervals determined by the municipality. O. Reg.
366/18,s. 4.
From May 1st to September 30th, the standard is to monitor the weather, both current
and forecast to occur in the next 24 hours, once per calendar day. O. Reg. 366/18, s. 4.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
4.
Snow Accumulation
The plowing of roads due to snow accumulation frequency is as set out in the table
below.
SNOW ACCUMULATION
Class of
Highway
Depth
Time
1
2.5 cm
4 hours
2
5 cm
6 hours
3
8 cm
12 hours
4
8 cm
16 hours
5
10 cm
24 hours
O. Reg. 366/18, s. 5 (5)
a) Roads
The Town's procedure in response to snow accumulation is as follows:
-
During the winter operations season, snowplowing hours of operation may vary.
-
The regular winter Roads Division Operating hours are night shift start at 11:00 pm to
7:00 am and day shift starts at 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
-
The primary roads (main arteries) are completed first, which include:
Robert St West & East
Main Street Fox Street
Church Street
Fuller Avenue
Sandy Bay Road
Tay Point Road
Champlain Road
Thompson Road
-
The secondary roads are plowed at least once prior to the conclusion of the shift.
At that time, if it is required, then the primary roads are plowed again.
-
Depending on the accumulation of snow the crew may be notified that the shift will
start at 3:00 a.m for weekends and holidays. If this occurs, then all the roads are
plowed and sanded.
-
During the winter season, the Roads Division has a two (2) shift system in place. The
day shift hours are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm and the night shift hours are 11:00 pm to 7:00
am.
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 6
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
-
Upon a police call out, the response time is within one hour, however, depending
on the snow accumulation and the time of the call, the snow plowing operation
may only be with a partial crew concentrating on the call-out area and the primary
roads.
Weather Hazard & Significant Weather Event
Weather Hazard means the weather hazards determined by Environment Canada as
meeting the criteria for the issuance of an alert under its Public Weather Alerting
Program.
A significant weather event means an approaching or occurring weather hazard with
the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within the
municipality.
The Town can declare a Significant Weather event in accordance with O.Reg 366/18 at
any time at its discretion to do so. If the town declares a significant weather event, the
standard for addressing roadways and sidewalks until the declaration of the end of the
significant weather event is;
a) To monitor the weather in accordance with section O.Reg 366/18
b) If deemed practicable by the town to deploy resources to address
snow accumulation on roadways, starting from the time that the
municipality deems appropriate to do so.
During a Significant Weather event, all roadways and sidewalks within the municipality
are deemed to be in a state of repair with respect to snow and ice accumulation. Roads
and sidewalks will remain in a state of repair until the municipality declares the end of
the significant weather event at which time the town will respond to snow and ice
accumulation according to the appropriate table as outlined in the following sections.
The following will be the Weather Event Notice used during this time:
"A significant snowfall event has occurred in Penetanguishene over the last 12 hours
and is expected to continue throughout the day. Due to the amount
of snow accumulation that has been received over this period, the Roads Division may
be delayed in reaching some areas of the road network as per the Town Minimum
Maintenance Standard Policy".
Example: For class 3 Roads, once the end of the Significant Weather Event has been
declared by the municipality, the Minimum Maintenance Standard states the response
time for the treatment of roadways is 8 hours as laid out in O.Reg. 366/18, s.5.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
b)
Sidewalk
-
The standard for addressing snow accumulation on a sidewalk after the snow
accumulation has ended is to reduce the snow to a depth less than or equal to 8
centimeters within 48 hours; and to provide a minimum sidewalk width of 1 meter.
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 7
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
-
If the depth of snow accumulation on a sidewalk exceeds 8 centimeters while the
snow continues to accumulate, the sidewalk is deemed to be in a state of repair
with respect to snow accumulation, until 48 hours after the snow accumulation
ends.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
c)
Bicycle Lanes
A bicycle lane means a portion of a roadway that has been designated by
pavement markings or signage for the preferential use or exclusive use of cyclists,
or a portion of a roadway that has been designated for the exclusive use of cyclists
by signage and physically marked buffer.
The town will close bicycle lanes between November 15th through to April 30th in
accordance with O.Reg 239/02 s. 16.8 (1) and the Traffic and Parking By-law (as
amended).
5.
Ice formation on roadways
If the municipality determines that there is a substantial probability of ice forming on a
roadway, treat the roadway, if practicable, to prevent ice formation within the time set out
in Table 1.
Table 1 - Ice Formation Prevention
Class of
Highways
Time
1
6 hours
2
8 hours
3
16 hours
4
24 hours
5
24 hours
O. Reg. 366/18, s. 8.
Table 2 - Treatment of Icy Roadways
Class of
Highways
Time
1
3 hours
2
4 hours
3
8 hours
4
12 hours
5
16 hours
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 8
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
O. Reg. 366/18, s. 5.
The Town's procedure in response to ice roadways is as follows:
- Depending on the time, the temperature, and the snow accumulation the Town's
response to icy road conditions may vary, but will not violate O.Reg 366/18.
- Sanding operations usually occur at 5:00 a.m. (even with a two (2) shift system in place).
This allows for the main arteries to be sanded prior to the increase in traffic volume.
Following the application of winter control materials to the primary roads, the school zone
and subdivision area roads will then be addressed.
- Due to the severity of the ice conditions, special attention is scheduled for stop
sign areas, intersections, hills, shaded sections of roadways, and primary
residential areas.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
6.
Pothole
Potholes are divided into three (3) categories
a) Paved Surface
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies that for potholes
with a Surface Area of 1000 cm (12" x 12") and a Depth of 8 cm (3") that the-
Response Time is to be within 14 days
POTHOLES ON PAVED SURFACE OF ROADWAY
Class of
Highway
Surface Area
Depth
Time
1
600 cm²
8 cm
4 days
2
800 cm²
8 cm
4 days
3
1000 cm²
8 cm
7 days
4
1000 cm²
8 cm
14 days
5
1000 cm²
8 cm
30 days
O.Reg. 239/02, s. 6, Table 1
The Town's procedure in response to potholes on the paved surface of the roadway is as follows:
- Throughout the year the majority of the roads are patrolled every 14 days depending
on the class while concentrating on areas with numerous potholes.
- All potholes are repaired including the potholes smaller than the size indicated the above
standard chart
- Response to pothole repairs may vary due to weather conditions.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O. Reg 239/02
2
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 9
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
b) Non-Paved Surface (Gravel Roads)
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies that for potholes
with a Surface Area of -1500 cm (16" x 16") and a Depth of 10 cm (4") that the
Response Time is to be within 14 days.
POTHOLES ON NON-PAVED SURFACE OF ROADWAY
Class of
Highway
Surface Area
Depth
Time
3
1500 cm²
8 cm
7 days
4
1500 cm²
10 cm
14 days
5
1500 cm²
12 cm
30 days
O. Reg. 239/02, s. 6, Table 2.
The Town's procedure in response to a pothole on a non-paved surface is as follows:
- During spring gravel roads are patrolled periodically for potholes
- Grading portions of gravel roads can be done if the road conditions allow.
- "A" gravel will be added if grading cannot be performed.
- All gravel roads are graded with attention to stop signs, curves, hills, and areas of poor
drainage areas due to an increase in potholes.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
c) Shoulder Potholes
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies that for potholes
with a Surface Area -1500 cm (12" x 12") and a Depth of 8 cm (4") that the-
Response Time is to be within 14 days.
POTHOLES ON PAVED OR NON-PAVED SURFACE OF SHOULDER
Class of
Highway
Surface Area
Depth
Time
1
1500 cm²
8 cm
7 days
2
1500 cm²
8 cm
7 days
3
1500 cm²
8 cm
14 days
4
1500 cm²
10 cm
30 days
5
1500 cm²
12 cm
60 days
O. Reg. 239/02. S. 6, Table 3
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 10
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
The Town's procedure in response to a pothole on a paved or non-paved surface of the
shoulder is as follows:
- Majority of shoulder potholes appear in early spring.
- Shoulder grading is done to eliminate the potholes.
- "A" gravel may be added, if necessary
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 239/02
7.
Shoulder Drop Offs
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies that for a shoulder
drop-off with a Depth of 8 cm (3"), for a continuous distance of 20 meters or more,
that the Response time is to be within 14 days.
SHOULDER DROP-OFFS
Class of
Highway
Time
1
4 days
2
4 days
3
7 days
4
14 days
5
30 days
O. Reg. 366/18, S. 9 (2)
The Town's procedure in response to a shoulder drop-off is as follows:
- Majority of the shoulder drop-offs are completed during shouldering of potholes.
- Asphalt shoulders are graded periodically with extra consideration being made to
curves and intersections.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
8.
Cracks
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies a response time of
14 days for cracks greater than 5 cm wide and 5cm deep for a continuous distance of 3
meters or more.
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 11
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
CRACKS
Class of
Highway
Time
1
30 days
2
30 days
3
60 days
4
180 days
5
180 days
O. Reg. 366/18, s. 10 (2).
The Town's procedure in response to cracks is as follows:
- Majority of the cracks are completed in the summer during the preventive maintenance
program.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 239/02
9.
Debris
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies a response time as
soon as practicable.
The Town's procedure in response to debris is as follows:
- Debris is removed within 24 hours once the Town has been notified.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
10.
Luminaire
Example:
If 3 or more consecutive lights on the same side of the road are out, on a
Class 4 Road, the maintenance standard specifies a response time of 14 days.
LUMINAIRES
Class of
Highway
Time
1
7 days
2
7 days
3
14 days
4
14 days
5
14 days
O. Reg 239/02, s. 10, Table
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 12
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
The Town's procedure in response to luminaires is as follows:
- During road patrols any inoperative street lights are identified and a repair request is
forwarded to the street light contractor and completed
- The contractor schedules the repairs within the allotted time set
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
11.
Signs
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies a response time of 30
days
REGULATORY AND WARNING SIGNS
Class of
Highway
Tim
e
1
7 days
2
14 days
3
21 days
4
30 days
5
30 days
O. Reg. 239/02/, s. 12, Table
The Town's procedure in response to signs is as follows:
- During road patrol and daily work operations all signs are inspected and restored
accordingly in accordance with the Ontario Traffic Manual.
- Retroreflectivity Inspection of Regulatory or Warning Signs completed annually.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
12.
Traffic Control Signal Systems
The maintenance standard is to deploy resources as soon as practicable after
becoming aware of the defect to repair the defect or replace the defective component
of the traffic control signal system.
The Town's procedure in response to a traffic control signal system is as follows:
-
Once made aware of a defect, the contractor is notified, and repairs are
completed as soon as practicable.
-
Inspections of the Traffic Signals and Conflict Monitors are completed semi-
annually
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 239/02
Minimum Maintenance Standards
Town of Penetanguishene Roads
Page 13
Original Approved by Council: 2003
Revision 4: March 7, 2023
Revision 5 March 13, 2024
13.
Discontinuities
a) Roadway
Example: For Class 4 Roads, the maintenance standard specifies a response time of 21
days
SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES
Class of
Highway
Height
Tim
e
1
5 cm
2 days
2
5 cm
2 days
3
5 cm
7 days
4
5 cm
21 days
5
5 cm
21 days
O. Reg. 239/02, s. 16, Table
The Town's procedure in response to a roadway surface discontinuity is as follows:
-
On being made aware of the defect, the Town or contractor is notified and
repairs are completed.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18
b) Sidewalk
The Town's procedure in response to sidewalk surface discontinuities is as follows:
-
Inspection of sidewalks is performed to check for surface discontinuity annually.
-
When trip hazards in excess of 2 cm are determined they are marked with paint
to alert users of the defect.
14.
Encroachments, area adjacent to sidewalk
The area adjacent to a sidewalk begins at the outer edges of a sidewalk and ends at
the lesser of the limit of the highway, the back edge of a curb if there is a curb and a
maximum of 45 cm. The standard for the frequency of inspecting an area adjacent to a
sidewalk to check for encroachments is once per calendar year, with each inspection
taking place not more than 16 months from the previous inspection.
The town will inspect encroachments with a pre-determined inspection report which
indicates hazards found and actions taken to repair on an annual basis scheduled
through the work order system.
Note: The Town will meet the set standards as per O.Reg 366/18