Transportation Network

The County maintains a diverse transportation network to provide safe and effective means to keep our communities moving and connected. The County’s transportation network is categorized into various components, due to differing life spans and maintenance strategies. They are arterial, collector and local roads, equipment, trails, facilities, and road appurtenances which include guide rails, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, street lights for intersection illumination, beacons, and retaining walls. 

Inventory

The replacement cost valuation for the assets in our transportation network are based on current tender prices, where available. The replacement cost valuation for our works yards is based on the latest information available, which includes current replacement costs, insurance valuations, and valuations from studies and assessments completed in prior years. The lengths identified for arterial, collector and local roads reflect only the County’s share of boundary roads.

Condition

The assessment approach for our transportation network assets utilizes a combination of physical assessments, asset attributes, such as material, as well as established anticipated useful lives. 

The percentage of assets in poor or critical condition has decreased from 15% as reported in the 2024 AMP to 14%. The percentage of assets in good or excellent condition has decreased from 57% as reported in the 2024 AMP to 52%, as several assets are now projected to be in fair condition.

Key Performance

It is intended that all transportation assets will be maintained, rehabilitated, and replaced to perform the same function and manage the same traffic volumes and loads as they are currently designed to do. While the County can control development within its boundaries, activities occurring in surrounding areas can impact use of the County’s network and thus the level of service achieved. To ensure levels of service are maintained, staff monitor these impacts and plan for changes to ongoing practices and budget requirements.

Proposed Levels of Service Review

The proposed levels of service analysis were conducted in two stages: the first focused on the roadway assets, and the second covered all other transportation assets. This approach allowed for an analysis of the roadway assets based on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The recommendations from both reviews are then used to inform the development of the overarching financial strategy. The 2025 budgeted contribution to reserves and reserve balances were split between the two reviews based on the needs of the fully funded scenarios. The table below summarizes the information for the roadway assets, with information on the scenarios reviewed and other transportation assets contained within the AMP document.

Based on the analysis for roadway assets, staff are recommending Scenario D. The proposed level of service is maintained at an average PCI of 70, which results in an annual investment level of approximately $17.4 million. This recommendation is in line with the 2025 Budget Survey responses where 71% of respondents indicated that the service level related to County Roads and Bridges should be maintained.

Funding Gap Analysis

Planned Investment Level
An estimated inflationary rate is used in the table below in both the required investment and planned investment figures. A debt obligation is fulfilled in 2026 with those funds being re-invested. Staff are recommending holding the CCBF contribution towards this service area AMP over the period. 

Proposed Investment Change
In 2012, County Council first committed to an annual $500,000 increase in the investment in transportation asset lifecycle needs. The 2025 contribution to the Roads reserve increased by $250,000 in addition to inflation. Staff are proposing that amount increase to $375,000 for 2026, returning to $500,000 for 2027 and forward until the required investment level has been achieved.

Comparison of required investment to proposed investment (millions)