There are four maintenance service areas in the County, each with two garages staffed by a Road Supervisor, Lead Hand and Equipment Operators.
In non-winter months, regular road operations take place Monday to Thursday from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.
In the winter months (mid-November to mid-April), the workforce is supplemented with additional equipment operators to allow a generally 24-hour service, seven days a week.
The primary objective of road surface management is to enhance road longevity by addressing minor defects. Key operations include:
Patching: Repairing potholes and cracks using hot or cold mix asphalt to rectify minor damages.
Shoulder Grading: This process involves augmenting gravel shoulders with new material to ensure they align correctly with the asphalt surface slope.
Grading Loose Top: Applying new gravel to gravel roads with subsequent grading and compaction to uphold structural integrity.
Dust Control: Suppression of dust, when necessary, is achieved through the application of magnesium chloride.
Washout and Base Repair: Applying new gravel to roads and shoulders that have been damaged by heavy rain.
Sweeping: Activities conducted to keep paved intersections free from gravel.
Roadside maintenance ensures roadside areas remain tidy and safe. Key operations include:
Tractor Mowing: Mowing activities are conducted to enhance roadside visibility and control the growth of noxious weeds.
Tree Removal and Tree Planting: Trees posing safety hazards are removed, and new ones are planted where appropriate.
Brush Cutting: The removal of obstructive brush, ensuring visibility and facilitating various roadside operations.
Debris Pick-Up: Illegally dumped garbage, including litter from vehicles, is collected.
Dead Animal Removal: Removal of deceased animals found on the side or travelled portion of County roads.
Weed Control: Utilizing spraying and mowing techniques to curb the spread of noxious weeds. Roadside weeds are targeted in compliance with the Weed Control Act to control selective broadleaf weeds and wild carrot.
The purpose of drainage and structure maintenance is twofold: to prevent flooding by directing surface waters appropriately and to ensure the safety of the motoring public by maintaining bridges and culverts. Key operations include:
Ditching: Excavation of roadside ditches to prevent roadway flooding, accompanied by the removal of vegetation and debris for optimal drainage and erosion control.
Bridge Maintenance: Regular inspection and maintenance of County bridge structures.
Culvert Maintenance: Installation and repair of culverts that facilitate the flow of water beneath roadways and driveways.
Manhole and Catch Basin Maintenance: Inspection, cleaning, and repair of manholes and catch basins to uphold effective drainage systems.
Notice of Pesticide Use
The County of Wellington intends to control weeds along the following County roadsides under their jurisdiction: all County roads within the Town of Erin, Township of Guelph/Eramosa, Township of Puslinch and in the Township of Centre Wellington - WR18, WR21, WR22, WR26, WR29.
We will be using a combination of the following herbicides: Clearview Reg.#29752, Active Ingredients Metsulfuron-Methyl and Aminopyralid (present as potassium salt) or Escort Reg.#23005, Active ingredient Metsulfuron-Methyl and Overdrive Reg.#30065, Active ingredient Difluenzopyr (present as sodium salt) and Dicamba (present as sodium salt). All products are registered under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada).
Winter Maintenance
Winter maintenance provides services for the safety and mobility of the travelling public on County roadways.
Follow reliable local social media sources for important updates:
24/7 Road Closures @OPP_WR
Weather Forecasts @ECCWeatherON
Share the road
Watch for the flashing blue lights of County plow trucks. When approaching from behind, slow down, stay back and be patient. DO NOT PASS around them.
Winter Mailbox Guidelines
Make sure your mailbox is winter-ready by ensuring it is properly located, constructed and maintained to avoid being damaged. Verify that the support post is stable and free from decay or damage. We are not responsible for any damage caused by the displacement of snow from plow trucks and mailboxes will not be replaced or repaired in these situations.
Winter-ready mailbox guidelines
Posts shall not consist of material stronger than a 15.2 cm (6”) diameter cedar post.
Box must be upright and securely attached to the fixed post.
Bottom of the box shall be 1.07 metres (42”) from the ground elevation in accordance with postal regulations.
Support post should be erected at least 5.2 metres (17’) from the centreline of the road, or at the rounding of the shoulder area, so that the box opening is at the outside edge of the shoulder.
For more information on mailbox guidelines, please contact the Roads Division.
When parking a vehicle in the winter, keep in mind that roadways need to be clear to allow for snowplowing. As per the Highway Traffic Act (Section 170 (2)), no person shall park or stand a vehicle on a highway in such a manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or the clearing of snow from the highway.
As per the Highway Traffic Act (Section 181), no person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing to do so from the Ministry or the local authority responsible for the maintenance of the road.
We're leading the industry in the proactive use of environmentally friendly alternatives to road salt. Since the mid 70's, we've been using liquid deicer to supplement the winter snow and ice removal operations (which permits a higher level of service than could be achieved by conventional methods).
We participated as a member of the Environment Canada Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Road Salts Management, who developed a Code of Practice published by Environment Canada as a guide to effectively managing the use of road salts throughout Canada.
Since 1992, computerized spreader control equipment has been used to add liquid deicer to sand and/or salt.
Since 1996, we've been using a snow and ice control technique called Anti-icing. In reality, the road is not anti-iced, but by applying a liquid deicer (freeze point depressant) directly to the road surface prior to a storm event, we prevent a bond between the road surface and snow or ice from forming. Application can begin up to five days in advance of a storm or as late as the start of a storm event.
The use of liquid deicers has reduced salt use by up to 25% and sand use by approximately 40% (which lessons the impact on the environment). We use a deicer made from a combination of refined corn, magnesium chloride and water (as the carrier). As the freezing point is -65º Celsius, this liquid will not freeze on the road. The product is half as toxic as baking soda and a tenth as corrosive as salt and meets Canadian Drinking Water Standards.
We've gone to great lengths to thoroughly train staff on how the deicer equipment operates, including working directly with the equipment manufacturer. Our staff, in collaboration with the Ontario Road Salt Management Group and the Ontario Good Roads Association, helped develop Equipment Operator and Supervisor training packages for winter operations.
Under authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, we use GPS and dash camera technology to ensure the safety and security of employees, the public and County property and assets.
We're committed to ensuring and enhancing the safety and security of the public, its employees, property and assets by integrating privacy and security best practices with the responsible use of technology in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
Questions about the operation of the system and collection of personal information may be directed to the County Clerks Office at 519.837.2600 x2522 or c/o Administration Centre, 74 Woolwich St., Guelph ON N1H 2T9.
