In 2025, the proportion of residential roads rated in fair condition or better shows a decline compared to previous years. This change is largely attributable to a modification in how condition ratings are reported. In prior years, the measure reflected an overall condition score that combined the condition of both pavement and concrete elements. Because concrete components generally remain in better condition for longer, this blended approach tended to elevate overall ratings, masking the true state of pavement surfaces.

The updated methodology evaluates pavement condition independently, resulting in a more accurate representation of infrastructure health. The 2025 results therefore reveal pavement‑specific challenges more clearly, including the impacts of an aging road network and rising rehabilitation and renewal costs. Beginning in 2026, a new metric will separately track the condition of concrete, further improving the clarity and precision of reporting.

Current funding levels have not kept pace with increasing treatment and construction costs, which will limit the City’s ability to maintain existing performance levels if left unaddressed. To achieve the desired level of service in future years, adjustments to funding that account for inflationary pressures and market-driven cost escalation will be required. Continued coordination with underground utility projects is also expected to support longer service life for residential roads by improving the timing, efficiency and overall effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.

Over the past four years, major road condition ratings have shown slight improvement; however, modeling indicates that under current funding levels, conditions will begin to decline over the long term, with a significant drop expected around 2029–2030. To prevent this deterioration and maintain or improve network condition, future budgets will require funding increases beyond standard inflationary adjustments.

An updated road condition assessment of major roads is planned for summer 2026, which will provide a more accurate condition rating and may indicate further decline. These assessments are completed using specialized inspection vehicles and technologies on major roads, which provide far more detailed structural and remaining service life information that the visual inspections used for local residential roads.

Some road projects were not completed in 2025 and were subsequently carried forward into 2026 due to internal capacity constraints. These constraints included limited staff and equipment availability, competing priorities throughout the construction season and the complexity of certain project sites.

In 2025, some planned road projects were not completed and were carried forward into 2026 due to internal capacity constraints.

Over the past few years, the total number of roadways planned for renewal has decreased. This reduction is primarily the result of budget allocations that have not met the ideal level of service. In addition, the scope of work varies significantly between projects. Not all road kilometres are equivalent as some locations require full reconstruction while others involve only pavement renewals. Road width is also a contributing factor, as wider roads require more materials, time and resources, which limits the total number of kilometres that can be planned and completed each year.

In 2025, service standard targets reached 100 per cent. This strong performance reflects ongoing program enhancements and operational refinements. Significant program changes began in 2024, when the pothole patching program shifted from an area based system to a systematic approach organized by road category. This transition allowed operations to prioritize high volume roadways before residential streets, ensuring that locations with the greatest safety risk from potholes were addressed first. The new approach improved operational efficiency, enhanced roadway safety and supported better daily planning and execution of crew activities. Together, these improvements contributed to greater consistency in service delivery and overall stronger program performance.

Category 5 roads in fair or better condition are generally newer or recently maintained, which can result in a higher completion percentage. Many of these roads require minimal pothole patching during the reporting period because they have been recently paved, contributing to stronger overall performance results. In 2025, service standard targets reached 97 per cent. This reflects ongoing program enhancements and operational refinements, including improvements in planning, prioritization and execution of maintenance activities across the roadway network, combined with the positive impact of having a larger proportion of roads in new or near new condition.

In 2025, results were strong but slightly under target. Completion levels are typically impacted by factors such as weather-related delays, staffing shortages and required utility work that affected planned schedules. These issues influenced the timing and sequencing of alley refresh activities, resulting in fewer kilometres completed than initially planned. Despite these challenges, the program continues to focus on efficient delivery and improved coordination to support higher completion rates in future years.

In 2025 and the other reported years, results were strong but slightly under target. Completion levels are typically impacted by factors such as weather-related delays, staffing shortages and required utility work that affected planned schedules. These issues influenced the timing and sequencing of alley paving activities, resulting in fewer kilometres completed than initially planned. Despite these challenges, the program continues to focus on efficient delivery and improved coordination to support higher completion rates in future years.

The target for completing all spring sweep locations was achieved in 2025. In 2024, one day of sweeping was removed from the program to avoid a budget deficit and reduce overtime and contracted services costs, resulting in a 99.6 per cent completion rate. Restoring the program to full capacity in 2025 enabled the team to meet its target and complete all scheduled spring sweeping locations.

Service delivery for road plowing in 2025 remained strong overall, with both Category 1 and Category 3 routes completed within their defined service standards. Category 2 routes were completed at 96 per cent, falling slightly below the other categories. Many Category 2 roads are located in open areas that experience high winds and significant snowfall, which can cause operational delays and make it more difficult to meet service timelines.

To address these challenges, the City continues to expand snow ridging in open areas to reduce blowing snow and lessen the frequency of required plowing. In addition, some roads originally classified as Category 2 were later determined to be Category 3, changing their service level and affecting reported results. Snow removal efforts in the Downtown also required two days to complete, which contributed to delays for Category 2 routes.

Strong performance on Category 1 routes demonstrates our ability to respond quickly to urgent needs. The high completion rate for Category 2 routes reflects consistent efficiency in managing ongoing work, despite the noted challenges. Completing all Category 3 tasks on schedule further highlights reliable follow through across service levels. Together, these results show that our team is well organized, responsive, and committed to delivering dependable, high quality service to the community.

All downtown sidewalks were completed on time within the 24 hour service standard for the entire year. In 2025, a dedicated team was assigned to the downtown area to support timely sidewalk snow removal and ensure consistent service in this high priority zone.

Some sidewalks located outside of the downtown area were not completed within the 48 hour service standard due to high winds and significant snowfall. When sidewalks accumulate large amounts of drifting snow, specialized equipment is required to clear them effectively. The City has limited equipment capable of handling these extreme conditions, which can create delays when multiple locations require this level of response at the same time.

In 2025, the completion percentage of alley plowing within the 96hour service standard dropped to 95 per cent. This decline was largely the result of high winds and significant snowfall, which increased the time required to clear the alley network. Despite these challenges, the City continues to efficiently deploy both internal and contracted equipment to maintain timely service delivery.

Regular inspections are conducted throughout the plowing process to identify issues early, reduce service requests and confirm that service standards are consistently being met. These proactive measures help ensure that, even during severe weather events, alley plowing operations remain effective and responsive to community needs.

In 2025, the City’s only paint truck was out of operation for four weeks due to an incident. Despite this significant loss of service time, the paint team still achieved 92 per cent completion of all scheduled paint applications, demonstrating strong operational resilience and effective scheduling. In the same year, crews also transitioned to a seven days a week schedule using split shifts. This approach maximized staffing levels and minimized the impacts of weather-related delays, contributing to the high completion rate despite the equipment outage.

The current paint truck is aging and is regularly out of service, which continues to disrupt program delivery. A new paint truck is planned for procurement in 2027. This new unit will provide improved efficiencies and modernized painting capabilities, including the ability to apply more durable road paint with a longer life expectancy. These improvements are expected to reduce the number of annual applications required and enhance overall service reliability.

In 2025, the number of completed locations increased due to rightsizing staff and shifting to a seven days a week schedule, which helped maximize coverage and reduce weather related delays. While the program continues to make progress toward completing all required locations, it still faces significant constraints related to limited resources and available budget. The number of crosswalks, stop bars and stencils also continues to grow as infrastructure expands and road safety measures evolve.

Looking ahead to 2027, a business case is being developed to purchase new equipment capable of applying more durable road paint with a longer life expectancy. This investment would reduce the number of annual applications required and improve overall program efficiency.

In 2025, the City issued 424 temporary street use permits and 125 over dimensional permits, reflecting a slight decrease in total permits across these two categories. This fluctuation is not necessarily indicative of a long-term trend, as permit volumes vary year-to-year and are influenced by factors such as construction activity, development cycles and event schedules, making them inherently unpredictable.

Throughout the year, the branch increased proactive site inspections for repeat construction projects and event related activities. Updated communications with contractors, vendors and event organizers further strengthened compliance with the Traffic Bylaw. These efforts ensured that roadway users obtained the required permits and paid the associated fees, which played an essential role in generating new revenue and supporting effective management of the transportation network.

In 2025, service standards were exceeded by resolving staffing pressures during peak season and formalizing procedures to consistently maintain expected service levels. Although delays in receiving required information from customers continue to affect the seven day turnaround, the team significantly improved customer service, strengthened the quality and safety of right of way reviews and initiated enforcement for noncompliance. Enhanced tracking, billing and payment follow up also improved financial recovery and increased street use permit revenues.