New asphalt technology expands in Brock after successful trial

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: An innovative road repair product tested last year will see a broader rollout in 2026 after council approved two major rehabilitation contracts aimed at improving driving conditions across the municipality.

At its February 9th meeting, council awarded contracts for both Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology (FACT) and slurry seal projects to Miller Paving Limited, the lowest compliant bidder in each tender process. The reports were prepared by Capital Projects Coordinator James Peitos.

The larger contract, valued at $672,073.92 including non-refundable HST, will see FACT applied to sections of Thorah Concession 2, Thorah Side Road and Side Road 18a.

Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology, is a cold-mixed, open-graded bituminous pavement designed for roads suffering from potholes, cracking, rutting and ravelling, as well as areas with high water tables. The Township piloted the product in 2025 on Concession 1 Thorah and Concession 3 Thorah.

“In 2025, we trialed FACT on two Thorah concessions, and it was an overall success,” explained Mr. Peitos. “The product is ideal for severely distressed roadways and produces a smooth, hard top surface. It also allows us to get roads back in service much faster than traditional reconstruction methods.”

Unlike conventional rehabilitation, which can stretch over multiple years and involve rehabilitation, double surface treatment and slurry seal, FACT can be installed more quickly and at a lower long-term maintenance cost. The product is also considered self-healing and can be paved over virtually any surface condition.

The approved 2026 budget for FACT was $778,464. With Miller Paving’s bid coming in under budget, the Township expects a surplus of just over $106,000 on the project.

Mayor Mike Jubb said the expansion of the program reflects council’s confidence in the pilot results.

“When we try something new and it works well for our residents, that’s a win,” Mayor Jubb said. “FACT gives us another tool to address roads which are in tough shape, and it does so in a way that’s financially responsible and mindful of the environment.”

Approximately 10,400 square metres of FACT will be installed this year. Because the material is produced at lower temperatures in a cold-central plant and reduces the need for extensive excavation, it carries a lower carbon footprint than traditional paving methods.

Council also approved a second contract with Miller Paving Limited for slurry seal work, valued at $293,532.82 including non-refundable HST. The total includes a refundable portion for work completed in partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes, as the cost of slurry sealing Simcoe Street North is shared between the two municipalities.

Slurry seal will be applied to Simcoe Street North, Brock Concession 14 and additional road segments to be determined in the spring.

Mr. Peitos explained, slurry seal is the final phase of the Township’s three-year road rehabilitation approach, following initial rehabilitation and double surface treatment in previous years.

“Slurry seal is a thin, protective surface treatment applied to hard-topped roads,” he said. “It’s a critical step in extending the life of the investment we’ve already made and improving overall surface condition.”

The slurry seal portion of the budget is slightly over projections for Simcoe Street North and Concession 14, with staff recommending the modest shortfall be covered by funds set aside for other road segments which may not be required this year.

Mayor Jubb said the combined projects demonstrate council’s continued focus on long-term asset management.

“Our road network is one of our most significant assets,” he said. “By investing in innovative technology like FACT and maintaining roads through slurry seal, we’re protecting that investment and planning responsibly for the future.”