C-K speeds up gravel road conversions
By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent
Chatham-Kent council approved an accelerated gravel road conversion program in the consent agenda at a recent meeting.
The current budget already covers 7.3 kilometres of gravel roads that will be converted to hard-surface over the next three years at a cost of $6.5 million.
Three projects have already started, or will begin this year.
A 1.4-km portion of McKinlay Road, between New Scotland and Rose Beach Lines in Howard Twp., is being converted at an estimated cost of $550,000.
The other local road is a half-kilometre stretch on Evergreen Line near Thamesville, at an estimated cost of $350,000.
A .15-km stretch of Depot Line, near Wheatley, is also on the schedule for conversion this year.
Two other roads – 4.2 km of 2nd Concession Line from Coatsworth Road to Stevenson Road in Tilbury East Twp., and 1.9 km of Pioneer Line from Caledonia Road to Centre Side Road in Chatham Twp. – are being converted to hard surface this year as part of previously approved projects.
The 2026 conversion list includes a 1.39 km section of Allison Line, between Lagoon Road and Erieau Road, in the Blenheim area, as well as Arnold Road in the Wallaceburg area and Big Pointe Line in Dover Twp.
Two roads in the Ridgetown area are scheduled for conversion in 2027.
A .24-km stretch of Henry St., between Main St. W. and Ebenezer St. and a 1.3-km portion of Industrial Ave., between Marsh St. and West St., are estimated to cost a combined $475,000.
These gravel roads that have already been approved for conversion will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the hard surface will be asphalt or tar and chip.
This is dependent on several factors, most notably the volume and types of traffic, the condition of its granular base, drainage infrastructure needs and other road safety requirements.
The surfaces for next year’s approved roads have not been finalized yet, as this will be reviewed as part of the planning and design for the 2026 program implementation.
Council’s approval also accelerates the conversion of seven more roads at a cost of approximately $33 million, which will be referred to the 2026 operating and capital budget update and future multi-year operating and capital Budget processes.
The seven gravel roads that will be promoted to the Accelerated Funding List over three years include a 5.15-km stretch of the Dillon Road from Queen’s Line to the Eighth Concession in Raleigh Twp., scheduled for 2027.
This conversion, however, may be moved up to next year as a part of the Ministry of Transportation’s rehabilitation of the Drake Road and Dillon Road Highway 401 overpasses, with anticipation of the Drake Road overpass construction proceeding first.
To support the detour during this closure, the hard surfacing of Dillon Road may be advanced to 2026.
“Accelerating the program delivers long-term financial and operational benefits by avoiding escalating annual construction costs and delivering an improved level of service sooner by completing the program over three to four years instead of 15 years,” read the report that was prepared for council by Marissa Mascaro Amyotte, director of engineering.
The report stated that when factoring in construction inflation, completing the proposed program over 15 years would cost approximately $43.2 million compared to $33 million as presented for 2026-2029.
“Based on the current condition, roads selected for conversion may require upgrades to meet current standards, including enhancements to the granular base, road geometry, drainage infrastructure and other roadside safety improvements,” the report stated. “These improvements are critical to ensuring the long-term durability, safety and performance of the roads being converted.”
Staff also completed an updated assessment of the gravel road network to form an expanded long-term list beyond the proposed acceleration, for future consideration.
Roads in the updated long-term conversion recommended list include two sections of Kenesserie Road – from Reeders Line to Talbot Trail and from Gosnell Line to Selton Line – as well as McKinlay Road from the 401 to Pollard Line and Turin Line from Orford Road to Duart Road.
