Road Maintenance Programs

If you enjoy volunteering, like to get involved in environmental sustainability, or you just want to contribute to your local community, then the Adopt-A-Road initiative may be a perfect activity for you and your friends, family, colleagues, or business.   

The Adopt-A-Road initiative allows volunteers to participate in OR sponsor the cleanup of urban and rural roads.

Once your application has been approved, we will publicly recognize your efforts and your participation by placing signs along your adopted section of the roadway. These signs will portray your individual/group name or business logo, and will be erected for all to see.

Volunteer Litter Pick Up Agreement

Volunteers will:

• Be responsible for a section of a road identified in the agreement for 1 year.
• Pick up litter on road sides at least twice per year in the identified section.
• Be over 12 years of age.
• Have 1 adult supervisor for every 5 volunteers.
• Show their civic pride by personally contributing to a cleaner and more beautiful local road system.

A Sponsorship Program

With your sponsorship, you will not only be assisting the Town of Halton Hills with their roadside activities, you will also be increasing your public image as an organization concerned for the upkeep of roads within the community
Your assistance will be demonstrated by having your logo or name placed directly on the road sign indicating your sponsorship.
Sponsorship Options:

• Financial support of liter picks up and urban grass cutting programs at an annual cost of $1,500 per kilometre.

OR

• Financial support to allow rural mowing and litter programs to continue at an annual cost of $300 per kilometre.

There are a number of organizations currently involved in the program, notably Sheridan Nurseries and the Argyll Dental Office. You will see the signs indicating their commitments to their respective road sections throughout Halton Hills.

• Adopt-A-Road Program

For further information please contact the Town of Halton Hills Transportation and Public Works Department, 905-873-2600 Ext. 2604.

Public Works uses motorized road graders to perform grading on rural roads within the Town of Halton Hills.

Spring

• Occurs on all rural gravel roads
• Eliminate potholes, wash boarding and other surface deficiencies
• Follows a predetermined maintenance schedule
• Dust suppressant material (Calcium Chloride) is applied after preparation and during dry weather.
• Water is applied to alleviate dust and to extend the use of the suppressant material.

Summer

• A second application of Calcium Chloride is applied.
• Grading is avoided (unless necessary) as it will compromise the integrity of the product, and increase unnecessary dust

Residents

If you are travelling in areas being graded, please be cautious, as the grader will leave a windrow (pile) of materials that can be a hazard to vehicular traffic.

Harsh Canadian winters are what creates potholes.
During the winter, when temperatures rise, water from melting snow seeps into small cracks on the road. When the temperatures drop again, the water in the cracks freeze and expand. This “freeze/thaw cycle” causes the cracks to grow and potholes to form.

When not tending to winter plowing and salting or sanding of roads, the Town’s Public Works staff use “hot patch” to maintain potholes until more permanent repairs can be carried out. Hot Mix asphalt is stored at a temperature that keeps it pliable and workable even during all temperatures, and effectively binds to existing asphalt concrete.

To Report a Pothole

Be able to identify:

• What street it’s on.
• Which lane (north or south).
• Address or building it's in front of.
• Cross streets (ex. Miller Rd and Argyll Rd).

Call Public Works 905-873-2600 Ext. 2603
Please exercise caution when driving on roadways during all seasons.  Drive according to road conditions and at posted speed limits in order to avoid damage to your vehicle if and when you encounter a pothole.

Minimum Maintenance Standards

• States the maximum size (area) and depth that a pothole can be before a repair is required. 
• States amount of time that is allowed to pass before the repair must be completed.
• Time allotted for repair varies based on the amount of traffic that occurs on that particular road. 
• The standard ranges from 4 days for heavily travelled roads to 60 days for roads with lesser amounts of traffic.
• The Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (MMS) and can be found on the Provincial Government's E-Laws website

Making a Claim

Claims for damage to a vehicle as a result of driving over a pothole are not generally reimbursable. Periods of precipitation and subsequent thawing and freezing do contribute to the development of potholes, particularly at intersections and in low-lying areas where water frequently stands. The Town of Halton Hills operates an aggressive pothole response program. Drivers should be aware of the potential for potholes, the presence of Town repair crews on busy streets and slow down to prevent accidents.

If you have damaged your vehicle because of a pothole:

• Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is not operating properly
• Contact your insurance company
• See a licensed motor vehicle mechanic
• Complete an insurance claim form. You will receive a response within three business days.

For more information on making a claim, contact: 905-873-2600, ext. 2375

When the Town of Halton Hills receives a pothole claim, an Independent Insurance Adjuster determines whether the Minimum Maintenance Standards were met. If the standards were met for that specific pothole, the Town will not be held responsible.

• The Town of Halton Hills uses sweepers to clear sand debris left behind after the winter season.
• Sweeping generally takes place between spring and summer, and occurs in almost all weather during these months; in fact, rain helps keep dust down during this activity.
• The sand that is swept up is stockpiled and recycled for use in the winter months
• During the course of sweeping operations, the brooms exert downward force on the road surface to ensure that all debris is collected. This can sometimes leave an impression on the road that resembles, and can be mistaken as paint. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern.

Extensive Spring Clean-Up (April – June)

Includes the sweeping/cleaning of:

• All Town-owned roads (which have asphalt top coats) including bridges.
• Catch basins and gutters.
• Hard-surfaced boulevards and medians.
• Sidewalks that are on the snow plow routes.
• Parking lots of the Gellert Community Centre, Mold-Masters SportsPlex, and other Town designated lots.
• Country roads without curbs are flushed and/or swept as required.

Summer Maintenance (June – October)

Includes the sweeping/cleaning of:

• Public Works supervisory staff predetermines routes and intervals of sweeping. 
• Roads are swept in scheduled intervals.

The Town of Halton Hills has jurisdiction over all public sidewalks, and Public Works takes requests for service regarding their deficiencies. Service and repair generally occur during the summer months.
What we do:

• Inspect areas all public sidewalks annually and prioritize their repair.
• Create annual replacement programs (created a year in advance of repairs).
• Replace sidewalks.
• Raise sunken bays.
• Snow plowing programs (see winter maintenance).

Public Works is responsible for picking up dead animals on our municipal road allowance.
If you see road kill please note:

• The location of the incident (street/ crossing/ landmark).
• Type of animal.
• Where it is on the road.

Who is responsible for dead animals on private property?

• The owner is responsible for the disposal of dead animals on private property.
• We strongly suggest that you contact Pest Control services. You can find these services online or in the local Yellow Pages.
• If you choose to remove the animals on your own, please exercise extreme caution as contact may pose a risk to human health.

Questions

1. When can our street be swept to remove winter sand and debris?
2. Can we get a replacement tree that is dead on my boulevard?
3. When will my road be graded?
4. When will the dust control be applied to my gravel road?
5. Can you spray dandelions covering the boulevard or fields?
6. Where can I pick up composters?
7. Where can I get free compost and wood chips?
8. Can potholes in the road be fixed?
9. Can you repair the sod damaged by the sidewalk snow plow?
10. Where can I pick up a Blue Box?
11. Who shall I contact if my streetlight is not working?
12. Where can I get information on School Crossing Guard?
13. What services does Public Works provide?

Answers

1. When can our street be swept to remove winter sand and debris?

   All streets within Halton Hills are swept at least once in an intensive Spring Street Sweeping Program in April. Every street with a curb and gutter is put on a predetermined route assigned by Public Works.

2. Can we get a replacement tree that is dead on my boulevard?

   If the resident believes that the tree on Town property is dying or is dead, residents may notify the Town and arrangements will be made with Town staff to view the tree in question. Prior to Assumption: Development Engineering 905-873-2601 ext. 2200. Subdivision Assumed: Public Works General Inquiry Line 905-873-2601 ext. 2603

3. When will my road be graded?

   After the winter season, when roads are deemed dry enough, gravel roads will be graded. Public Works General Inquiry Line 905-873-2601 ext. 2603

4. When will the dust control be applied to my gravel road?

   The Town of Halton Hills applies liquid calcium chloride twice a year on all gravel roads in Halton Hills. This program usually begins in late May or early June. A second application begins in late August, early September.

5. Can you spray dandelions covering the boulevard or fields?

   The Town of Halton Hills has adopted a pesticide reduction program and will not spray dandelions or weeds on boulevards or Town-owned open space. Sports fields, parks and cemeteries will be sprayed if the weed threshold has been exceeded.

6. Where can I pick up composters?

   Composters are available at the Region of Halton. Check your waste calendar for further information.

7. Where can I get free compost and wood chips?

   Halton Region provides Public Works with free compost on Earth Day ONLY. It can be picked up on Earth Day at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre. Please bring your own shovel and container. Donations to the food bank are appreciated. Public Works General Inquiry Line 905-873-2601 ext. 2603

8. Can potholes in the road be fixed?

   Potholes result from water getting in the granular base below the surface asphalt. This weakens the pavement and allows the traffic to create cracks and then breaks the road surface. The winter freeze and thaw cycle accelerates this process. Contact Public Works to advise us of the location and staff will schedule a repair. Public Works General Inquiry Line 905-873-2601 ext. 2603

9. Can you repair the sod damaged by the sidewalk snow plow?

   Yes, notify Public Works at 905-873-2601 ext. 2603. In the spring, Town staff will topsoil and seed areas where the plow has caused damage. However, it is the homeowner's responsibility to care for the area, once it has been seeded.

10. Where can I pick up a Blue Box?

    New residents of Halton Hills can pick up 2 Blue Boxes at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre at 11620 Trafalgar Road. Current residents may have 1 blue box per year, free of charge and can purchase additional blue boxes from Halton Region. For more information visit www.halton.ca.

11. Who shall I contact if my streetlight is not working?

    If you notice that any streetlight in the Town is out or turning off and on intermittently, please contact Halton Hills Hydro at 519-853-3700 ext. 226.

12. Where can I get information on School Crossing Guard?

    The Town of Halton Hills administers 23 School Crossing Guard locations within Acton, Georgetown and Glen Williams. For specific locations/times and/or employment opportunities, visit http://www.haltonhills.ca/schools/crossingGuards.php or contact Public Works at 905-873-2601 ext. 2610.

13. What services does Public Works provide?

    Broken or missing street signs, Cemetery and park maintenance, Culvert repairs, animal on the side of the road, Garbage and debris on the side of the road, Graffiti, Potholes, Sidewalk Program, Sign and streetlight maintenance, Sod repair, Sweeping and dust control, Tree planting and removal, and Winter maintenance.