Prince Edward County will proceed with the conversions of County Roads 28 & 35 from asphalt to surface treatment.
The decision came this evening at Prince Edward County Council whilst Council was reviewing an update of the Five-Year Rural Road Improvement Plan.
Staff note that the 5-Year Road Improvement Plan adopted in 2023, includes two roads scheduled for DST in 2026, County Road 28 and County Road 35, which are currently asphalt. These roads were historically main routes with higher traffic volumes, which may have justified their asphalt surface at the time.
However, recent traffic counts (2025) show volumes well below the 1,000 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) threshold for asphalt road surface referenced in Table 3.3.3 of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Pavement Design and Rehabilitation Manual (2013). For example, County Road 28 south of Massasauga Road Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of approximately 766, which is below the 1,000 threshold but approaching it.
These sections of roadway are not included in Engineering’s Five-Year Capital Plan for asphalt reconstruction or resurfacing, making surface treatment the most practical and timely option within the County’s available resources.
Council could have chosen to maintain County Roads 28 and 35 as asphalt rather than convert them to Double Surface Treatment (DST). This option would add approximately $58,410 per kilometre compared to DST, putting pressure on the capital program and reducing the overall number of kilometres that can be rehabilitated within available funding, which was not recommended by staff.
Staff will continue to review the road list annually to ensure it remains appropriate, with any recommended revisions brought forward to Council during budget deliberations and supported by clear technical rationale.
(HAILEY MACDONALD)
