Brock Township’s recent road work aims to extend the life of rural roads

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: A major investment in Brock Township’s rural road network continued recently, as crews carried out road maintenance work on four local routes.

Lane restrictions began Thursday, August 27th, for the application of Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology (FACT), a self-healing road treatment, designed to help extend the life of existing road surfaces while reducing future maintenance and upkeep costs.

The work was carried out on Concession 4, east of the Blackwater Road bridge; Sideroad 18A from Regional Road 12, south of Concession 11; Thorah Sideroad from Concession 2 Thorah toward Concession 1 Thorah; and Concession 2 Thorah, east of Thorah Sideroad.

The work resulted in temporary delays, with residents advised to plan alternate routes and allow additional time for their trips.

“This is part of a[n] historic investment in Brock’s rural roads, and we’re committed to making sure that investment delivers long-term value for our residents,” Brock's Mayor Jubb said. “We have a significant road network to maintain, and taking a proactive approach today helps us protect that infrastructure and manage costs over the long term.”

The FACT treatment is designed to be applied to road surfaces under a variety of conditions. Its self-healing properties are intended to help seal and protect pavement, extending the useful life of roads and reducing the need for more extensive repairs.

Brock Director of Public Works, Ben Kester said, the treatment provides the municipality with another option for maintaining roads before they deteriorate to the point where more significant rehabilitation is required.

“FACT allows us to take a preventative approach to road maintenance,” explained Mr. Kester. “By treating roads while they are still in a condition where this type of application can be effective, we can help extend their service life and reduce the amount of more intensive maintenance they may require in the future.”

Mr. Kester said, the municipality continues to evaluate different approaches to road maintenance, as it works to manage Brock’s extensive rural road network.

For residents, the road work may mean short-term inconvenience, but Mayor Jubb said, the longer-term goal is to ensure Brock’s roads remain safe and reliable. “We understand lane restrictions and road work can be an inconvenience, but these are important investments in the infrastructure residents rely on every day,” added Mayor Jubb. “Our goal is to make smart, strategic investments in Brock’s roads now which will benefit our communities for years to come.”