Transportation

NOTICE – Load Restrictions 2024

Construction Projects

The Works Department may have various construction projects in progress at a time. Please expect delays and be cautious when driving through construction zones.

Road Closures

Road closures are sometimes necessary in order to undertake emergency repairs or planned road improvement projects.

Current road closures and service disruptions are listed on the front page of this website.

Please note that minor projects and repairs requiring only a short closure or delay may not be posted.

An entrance permit is required to install a new entrance on your property, alter or change the location of an existing one, install a second entrance or pave an existing entrance. An application is required even if the entrance is temporary. Entrance approvals for Township roads are handled by the Public Works Department. Entrance permits for Highway 60, Highway 127 and Highway 523 are the responsibility of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

All entrances will be in accordance with the township Entrance Policy.

Applicants are required to print and complete the Entrance Permit Application form below, and submit it, with the application fee and drawing to the Township office.

Fees related to entrance permits can be found in the Schedule of Fees By-law.

Summer is a busy time for our Public Works staff, who work hard to keep our roads, parks and facilities in good repair.

Regular summer road maintenance activities include:

• Roadside mowing and brushing, which helps with sight lines and reduces the chance of the roads growing in
• Culvert maintenance and replacements when necessary, to help with drainage
• Ditching, to help improve drainage
• Road surface sweeping, to clear sand residue left over on roadways after winter sanding operations
• Pot hole patching, which helps eliminate minor imperfections in the road surface
• Grading of gravel roads, to help eliminate washboard and improve water runoff
• Application of a dust suppressant, to help keep dust at a minimum and stabilize the gravel surface
• Application of fresh gravel, where needed
• Speed/warning sign maintenance and replacement
• Guidepost installation and maintenance
• Capital projects as outlined in the yearly budgets

Did you know that Public Works staff also provide the following services?:

• Landfill maintenance, including weekly covering of waste, weekly waste collection
• Maintenance and grass cutting at parks and beaches
• Outdoor washroom cleaning and maintenance
• Boat launch and parking maintenance; dock installations and removals

Report a Problem

Although staff do regular road patrols, sometimes stuff happens. If you see an issue that needs our attention such as a broken street light, pot hole, dangerous road conditions, a fallen tree or culvert washout, let us know!

In the winter, Public Works staff are busy plowing and sanding the Township roads. There are a number of things that you can do in the winter to help us keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

We do our best to quickly clear snow and ice from the roadways. However, during snow storms or bad weather, high priority roads such as the ones in the villages of Whitney and Madawaska are plowed and sanded first. If you live on a secondary road, please be patient.

Snow on Roadways

Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, it is illegal to shovel, blow or plow snow out onto a roadway. It’s also very dangerous and can cause oncoming vehicles to lose control. Please use caution when clearing your driveway and always be aware of the traffic around you.

Winter Parking

Effective November 1, 2020, to April 15, 2021, parking of vehicles and/or trailers within a township road allowance including snow plow turnarounds is strictly prohibited.

Vehicles parked within the road allowance not only slow down the route drivers but also pose safety risks when driving a large truck, plow and wing around vehicles.

Residents should make arrangements to have their driveways cleared of snow to ensure that parking in the roadway is not necessary and that emergency services can access the property.

Residents and visitors who fish lakes that are accessed from township roads must make alternative parking arrangements to ensure that vehicles and trailers are not parked within the road allowance or in snow plow turn around areas..

The Corporation of the Township of South Algonquin’s Level of Service for Municipal Highways By-Law No. 2016-512 states that;

“During the designated winter season from November 1st to April 15th any vehicles hindering winter maintenance operations will be towed at the owner’s expense by the nearest available towing vehicle and any cost in this towing and retrieval of the towed vehicle will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner.”

Furthermore, per Section 170 (12) of the Highway Traffic Act-Vehicles Interfering with Traffic;

“(12) Despite the other provisions of this section, 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. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 170 (12)”.

Driving

When approaching a plow, reduce speed, keep your headlights on low, and stay to the right.  If driving behind a plow, give them plenty of room and remember they may need to back up.

Report a Problem

Although staff do regular road patrols, sometimes stuff happens. If you see an issue that needs our attention such as a broken street light, pot hole, dangerous road conditions, a fallen tree or culvert washout, let us know!