Haldimand County Roads Operations division maintains and preserves approximately 1,500 kms of roads, 120 kms of sidewalks and 8 municipal parking lots. This division is responsible for road surface maintenance, roadside maintenance, drainage maintenance and gravel road maintenance. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, traffic signals, street lighting, entrance culverts, cross road culverts, ditching, road grading and dust control.
Roads Operations
Streetlights/Hydro
If you have a streetlight out or in need of repair in your area, please contact Haldimand County at 905-318-5932
To report a hydro outage or for more information on your hydro service, please contact Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235
HALDIMAND COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES HEAVY TRUCK ROUTE BY-LAW
Haldimand County Council has approved report RDS-01-2019 Heavy Truck Route By-law. The purpose of the Heavy Truck By-law is to identify roads within Haldimand County where heavy trucks are permitted. This by-law is designed to restrict the gross vehicle weight limit to (5) tonnes per axel for road sections not identified as a truck route and provides additional information regarding restrictions during the spring thaw period from March 1st to April 30th in each calendar year on a portion of the heavy truck routing.
Exceptions to the Heavy Truck By-law on non-heavy truck roads include but is not limited to; trucks making local deliveries of goods and services, water haulers, milk deliveries, Emergency Services vehicles, County vehicles or vehicles providing services on behalf of the County. Exceptions also include various agricultural vehicles and activities.
The Municipal Act authorizes Haldimand County Council to pass by-laws with respect to highways. The By-law will be enforced by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) through the Highway Traffic Act and persons guilty of violations are subject to fines approved by the Ministry of the Attorney General and prescribed under the Provincial Offences Act.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is also granted enforcement rights through the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) for gross vehicle and axle weights. These enforcement rights apply to vehicles that are overloaded as described in the HTA, as well as vehicles traversing load posted bridges.
Half-Load Restrictions in Haldimand County
To protect our County roads and infrastructure during the spring thaw, there is an annual half-load season from March 1 to April 30 on select County Roadways. During this period vehicles are restricted to a maximum of 5 tonnes per axle. It is the responsibility of the heavy equipment operator to ensure that they plan their route to avoid roadways with half-load restrictions.
What is a half-load restriction?
‘Half-load restrictions’ are normally placed on select roadways throughout the County during the spring thaw. When a half-load restriction is in place, it means that vehicles over a certain weight class are not permitted to use the roadway.
Passenger vehicles are exempt from the restriction. Larger vehicles such as dump trucks, delivery trucks, concrete trucks and heavy equipment floats that haul excavators, bulldozers and cranes are included.
This restriction is due to the need to protect the road and the road bed from being permanently damaged.
How does a road get permanently damaged?
In the spring, frost comes out of the ground. As moisture comes out of the road bed, the road becomes softer and weaker. Heavy loads can cause the road to sink and break apart, which can lead to permanent damage. Most rural roads and highways are not built to withstand the pressures of heavy equipment.
Why are half-load restrictions imposed?
To avoid rebuilding after every spring thaw, which would cost a lot of taxpayer dollars, municipalities impose restrictions to give the roads time to properly shed the frost.
Sidewalk Maintenance
The County’s sidewalk maintenance program consists of sidewalk inspection and sidewalk and curb restoration on an annual basis. The sidewalk inspection program is scheduled on an annual basis with a rating criteria listing all surface deficiencies and/or trip hazards in a priority fashion. Each year a sidewalk restoration contract is planned and implemented based on inspection reports that identify all known deficiencies on a priority basis. The sidewalk restoration program is generally scheduled mid to late summer for seasonal and weather related advantages.
Roadway Maintenance Programs
The Rural Roadside Mowing Program is scheduled on an annual basis and consists of cutting roadside grass with the intent to improve roadside visibility for the travelling public. Rural intersections are also cut back an additional standard again with the intent to improve site lines. The County’s Rural Roadside Mowing Program schedule consists of 2 cuts per year. The first cut is generally scheduled in early to mid-June and the second cut is scheduled in August. The Rural Roadside Mowing Program also includes manual trimming of all safety barrier systems and traffic signs twice per season.
All roads in the County are inspected on a regular basis for surface deficiencies including potholes. All roads in Ontario are classed into 6 different road classes which is based on the daily traffic counts and speed limit on any given road. The frequency of road surface inspections and road surface repairs is based on the class of road. All roads within Haldimand County are inspected a minimum of once every 30 days.
Street Sweeping
Street sweeping is scheduled throughout our urban areas where curbs and gutters exist. All urban roadways are swept at a minimum of once in the spring, once mid-summer and twice in the fall. Main streets and downtown cores have increased schedules.
The Roadside Drainage Program consists of multiple drainage activities designed to improve the overall drainage of the County’s roadway network. Positive drainage of roadways improves and extends the life of the road. Roadside drainage activities consist of entrance and cross road culvert maintenance, including replacement when necessary. Other drainage activities include, reconstructive roadside ditching and ditching maintenance or ditching clean out. Roadside drainage activities are generally scheduled during the summer and fall seasons.
Gravel Road Maintenance
Haldimand County’s gravel roads are regularly inspected throughout the year. In the spring, once the frost is out of the ground and the weather permits, all gravel roads are graded and new stone applied, if needed. The frequency of the grading is determined by the condition of the road and when grading is warranted.
Dust Control
The County’s Dust Control Program on the gravel road network consists of calcium chloride liquid applications to control and limit airborne dust on gravel roads on an annual basis. The dust control program schedule is generally performed once in the spring and on an as need basis throughout the summer. Several factors can influence the frequency of dust control applications, including but not limited to, the amount of rainfall during a summer season, the number of vehicles travelling the road and the amount and type of winter precipitation from the previous winter season.
Granular Road Conversion Program
The Granular Road Conversion Program uses a method called tar and chip. Once applied and set, the tar and chip will give gravel roads a paved-like surface. Approximately 20 kms of roadway are converted each year. A capital projects list is available that includes a list of roads to be under construction/reconstruction for the current year. If you would like more information on this program, please call Engineering Services at 905-318-5932
Pedestrian Crossovers
A pedestrian crossover is a type of road crossing where drivers and cyclists must stop for a pedestrian wanting to cross the road. By law, drivers and cyclists must stop and yield to pedestrians wanting to cross the road and wait for them to completely reach the other side before driving through the crossover. It is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians to understand and follow the rules of the road.
Learn more about pedestrian crossovers – including how they differ from crosswalks, and where they are located in the County.
Permit Applications
The Road Damage Deposit Form is required when work is being done by residents or contractors which may cause damage to a County roadway.
Fees
There is a non-refundable inspection fee and a deposit fee which is refundable upon final inspection approval.
An entrance permit is required for all new entrances and modifications to existing entrances. Please have your roll number available if your lot has not yet been assigned a civic address. If your driveway exists, but you are obtaining a building permit for a new building, an entrance permit is required to have your driveway inspected to ensure it meets current standards. There is an insurance requirement for this permit. A site meeting with a Roads Supervisor is required prior to any permit being issued. Please call 905-318-5932 ext 8601 to arrange a site meeting.
A list of inspection and construction requirements for entrances is available to assist residents and contractors with entrance construction.
Fees
There is a non-refundable administration fee and a deposit fee which is refundable upon final inspection.
Excavation Permit
An excavation permit is required anytime you are cutting, digging or excavating in the Right of Way. There are insurance and restoration report requirements for this permit. A site meeting with a Roads Supervisor is required prior to any permit being issued. Please call 905-318-5932 ext 8601 to arrange a site meeting and for further details of permit requirements and process.
Occupation Permit
An occupation permit is required when you are occupying the Right of Way for a period of time, this includes placing bins, gravel or personal items on the roadway or any work taking place on the Right of Way. This permit has insurance requirements. A site meeting with a Roads Supervisor is required prior to any permit being issued. Please call 905-318-5932 ext 8601 to arrange a site meeting.
Fees
There is a non-refundable administration fee and a deposit fee which is refundable upon final inspection.
An Oversized Load Permit is required for any oversized or overweight load as outlined in the Highway Traffic Act. If a vehicle is over the designated weight, length or width, an oversized permit is required to drive on County roadways. Route maps must be included with the permit application. You may receive an approved route with your permit. This permit does not allow any vehicle to drive on a load restricted bridge or roadway. It is vehicle and route specific.
Fees
There is a non-refundable fee for a one-time move permit or an annual permit for multiple trips for a company and a refundable deposit fee. The deposit fee is held until the final inspection is approved.