I have sat on the Northumberland County Roads and Bridges (Transportation) committee for seven years. There are many, many, accomplishments throughout Northumberland County that I am very proud of. In fact, far too many to list on this page so I have only listed the projects achieved in and near Trent Hills.
Here’s a few photos of some of these projects.
Northumberland County has an inventory of 503 kilometres of roads, 112 structures (bridges and large culverts greater than 3 metres in diameter) and literally hundreds of culverts and storm drains less than 3 metres in diameter.
I successfully proposed the first annual bridge budget program to County Council in 2004.
Through the Roads and Bridges Committee, Northumberland County has been successful in leveraging grant monies through the Building Canada program, the Federal Gas Tax Program, and the Infrastructure Stimulus Program to assist in developing a substantial capital construction program in Northumberland County.
As the price of A/C (asphalt cement, a component of asphalt mix) continues to rise, crack sealing has been looked at extensively by County staff and the committee as an excellent pavement preservation method. Crack sealing methods have improved over the years and have become an excellent source of added value in extending the life-cycle of our asphalt roads. A local example in 2010 is Queen St. and Front St.N in Campbellford. Newer technologies of repairing and resurfacing our roads are being tested throughout the County as well, such as the “SAMI” system (stress absorbing membrane interlayer).
We have a staff that can boast of experience, knowledge, and customer service excellence from maintenance to design, construction, and engineering. The Northumberland County road system has risen from 24% to 57% as being deemed adequate during the past seven years. Considering the budgetary and economic challenges, this is a monumentous success. Northumberland County Roads are well known for their good quality PCI (pavement Condition Index) and high maintenance standards.
The 2009 works still in progress and 2010 construction budget is 9.6 million dollars. Happy motoring !!
Roads
- County Rd. 8 Rehabilitation (2010)
- County Rd. 22 Rehabilitation
- County Rd. 24 Rehabilitation
- County Rd. 25 Rehabilitation
- County Rd. 29 Rehabilitation
- County Rd. 38 Rehabilitation
- County Rd. 45 Rehabilitation
- County Rd. 50 Rehabilitation
Bridges
- County Rd. 8 Major rehabilitation of the Hoards Creek Bridge
- County Rd. 18 Total rehabilitation of the Factory Creek Bridge (and added cycling & pedestrian lanes)
- County Rd. 25 Major rehabilitation of the Clapperton bridge.
- County Rd. 25 at 45 Concrete culvert rehabilitation
- County Rd. 29 Major rehabilitation of the Mustard Hill Bridge (2010)
- County Rd. 30 Major reabilitation of the Cold Creek Bridge
- County Rd. 30 Major rehabilitaion of the Salt Creek bridge (2010)
- County Rd. 30 Major rehabilitation of the Trent River Bridge
- County Rd. 35 Total replacement of the old CNR overpass bridge. (This bridge was replaced with a large culvert so the trail system would be preserved.)
- County Rd. 50 Major rehabilitation of the Healey Falls Bridge
- Total rehabilitation of the Campbellford Bridge, 2005, and 2010
- Total replacement of the Wilson Island Bridge
Wilson Island Bridge
Wilson Island Bridge
Many people may recall the difficulty striking a deal with our partners at Quinte West on this boundry bridge. After the several years I kept this bridge in the forefront, we were successful negotiating a 50-50 financing agreement with Quinte West and replaced the bridge in 2009. Additionally, during the big flood of 2008, large masses of cat tails became lodged under the bridge and threatened to lift it off it’s bearings which would have totally destroyed it. I successfully recommended the new bridge be raised one metre to prevent this from reoccurring. The Wilson Island Bridge will be surface treated in 2010.
Service Expansion
Northumberland County partnered with the Municipality of Brighton in an Environmental Assessment for a grade seperation in Brighton.
Northumberland County partnered with the Municipality of Trent Hills in an Environmental Assessment for a second river crossing in Campbellford.
Northumberland County has identified intersections that are high accident locations and identified them as such to the motoring public by the use of highly visable signage.
Northumberland County has responded to higher traffic volumes on County Roads at potentially dangerous or busy intersections with the installation of traffic signals. One system on County Rd. 28 north of the 401, and one system at the intersection of County Roads 18 and 74
In 2010, Northumberland County initiated the installation of streetlights at potentially dangerous or busy intersections. This first two test pilot projects are in Trent Hills. One at the intersection of County Roads 30 and 35 and the other at the intersection of County Roads 25 and 35
In 2010, Northumberland County will be retrofitting existing signal lights with high luminosity and energy efficient LED components.
Also in 2010, Northumberland County is rolling out a new program of surface treating road shoulders. This initiative has been identified as a pavement preservation method, and provides a much safer surface for bicycles, pedestrians, and ATV’s where permitted.
County Council has now approved a Cycling Master Plan Advisory Committee which will look at establishing a set of design standards for future county-wide routes. The plan is to help drive Northumberland County tourism, economy, and to promote healthier communities, alternative commuting options, and an eco-friendly tourist draw. The plan will also attempt to promote the County’s tourism attractions as well as stimulate economic development to various businesses located in close proximity to the designated cycling routes.
Traffic Calming in Centreton
Northumberland County has engaged the public in Warkworth in an effort to produce one or more methods of traffic calming in the vicinity of the Percy Secondary School. This area has been the site of numerous speeding vehicles that compromise the safety of children crossing the road, and nearby residents. Under this new County Council approved policy, locations of concern along County roadways may be reviewed for possible warrants for the installation of traffic calming measures. Other locations include County Rd. 22 in the Village of Centreton, County Rd. 45 in the Village of Baltimore, and County Rd. 25 (Percy St.) in the Village of Colborne.
Traffic Calming Paint in Centreton