Cost of repairing municipal roads – $7,000 per household
September 17, 2012
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
More than half of municipal roads are "falling apart," and one in four roads is over capacity and handling more traffic than it was designed to, according to a survey of 120 municipalities. The cost of replacing the inferior roads was estimated...
More than half of municipal roads are “falling apart,” and one in four roads is over capacity and handling more traffic than it was designed to, according to a survey of 120 municipalities. The cost of replacing the inferior roads was estimated at $91.1 billion, or over $7,000 per household in Canada.
The report was done as a partnership between the Canadian Federation of Municipalities (FCM), the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, the Canadian Public Works Association and the Canadian Construction Association.
The report also found that one in four wastewater treatment plants need to be upgraded or replaced. The estimated cost of replacing them was $39 billion.
FCM president Karen Leibovic said, “The report card shows that core municipal infrastructure like roads and water systems, assets critical to Canada’s health, safety and economic prosperity, are at risk. Investments in infrastructure over the last few years have helped, but without long-term action we are still headed for a crisis.” She noted that the federal government’s recently announced long-term infrastructure program is an opportunity to set things right.
Despite the FCM’s warning tones, the report did find that Canadian municipalities’ drinking water systems are in good shape, with just 15% ranked “fair” or needing attention. Stormwater systems were also found to be “fit for the future,” with just 23% of stormwater pipes ranked as “fair” or needing attention.
To view the report, click here.
