September 2026
The project team presented an interim update on the Roads Needs Study Update via Report ENG-2026-05 at the March 9th 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting. This report, and associated presentation, outlined the Study’s background, methodology, and preliminary findings. Staff were seeking Council’s direction on a preliminary preferred level of service (LOS), which will guide development of the draft RNS report and the associated Capital Improvement Plan. Council endorsed option 4 as the preliminary preferred option and further recommended Staff to also proceed with developing a similar plan for upgrading gravel roads.
The final report and presentation is tentatively planned to return to Council in December 2026. Please refer back to this website later this year for confirmation.
The Town of New Tecumseth has been conducting Road Needs Studies (RNS) since 1991 to identify the physical and financial needs associated with the Town’s road networks. The last Road Needs Update was completed in 2018. The 2025 RNS has commenced, and data collection is currently underway. The program includes consideration of other masterplans and studies completed including the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), the Drainage Master Plan (DMP), OSIM, etc.
The primary objective for this study is to complete:
- A Town wide road network inventory and condition assessment to determine road improvement needs and establish an overall condition rating and priority rating for all road sections from worst to best. Road surface conditions will be assessed using standard Ministry of Transportation tools and ratings.
- A Pavement Asset Management program which evaluates various rehabilitation strategies to extend the remaining lifecycle of road sections. The program will recommend upgrades for the time horizon of 1-5 years and 6-10 years for improving the road system. The program will identify and recommend the most effective cost-benefit approach to extend the lifecycle of the road sections.
- A Traffic Count Summary Report which included a database of current average daily traffic volumes on all arterial, major and minor collector, and main local roads within the Town’s jurisdiction.
- An inventory of additional roadside assets including security guiderails, retaining walls, and acoustic fences along Town Roads (paved and surface treated).
- A review the condition of the Town owned/leased parking lots and a priority list for upgrades.
- A roadside networks safety study will be completed as part of this project.
The study provides high level recommendations for road work, including priorities and costs in the short-term (1-5 years) and long-term (6-10 years). The Town will consider these findings and recommendations when preparing the budget and capital plan for roads in the following year. The results of the study will be presented to Council in Summer 2026.
