Could banning right turns on red make intersections safer? Toronto is handing off two major highways to the province. And municipalities are reporting troubling issues with chip-and-tar roads. Welcome to the Good Roads Podcast, where we break down the biggest municipal infrastructure, transportation, and road safety stories shaping Ontario communities.
This week’s episode looks at changing traffic safety policies, the growing trend of infrastructure uploading, and concerns over the long-term performance of low-volume road treatments.
The Region of Waterloo is launching a pilot project banning right turns on red at several major intersections across Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. The goal is to improve pedestrian safety by reducing conflicts between turning vehicles and people crossing the street. The move reflects a broader shift in how municipalities are balancing traffic flow against vulnerable road user safety.
Ontario has confirmed it will officially take over ownership of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway in 2027. The upload could save Toronto hundreds of millions in future maintenance costs and may create a precedent for other municipalities seeking provincial support for regionally significant transportation corridors. The bigger question: will this become a broader infrastructure trend across Ontario?
Several municipalities are reporting that chip-and-tar road treatments are no longer lasting as long as they once did. Some surfaces that historically lasted five to seven years are now failing in as little as two to three. Municipalities suspect changes in asphalt emulsions may be contributing, but weather, curing conditions, and material compatibility could also play a role. Good Roads is now surveying members to determine whether this is becoming a province-wide issue.