The Region of Waterloo has many construction projects every year. These include resurfacing, reconstruction, widening, new road construction. Updates on projects currently underway and future planned works are listed here.
To report a problem or a concern with construction or road closures, call 519-575-4400 (or TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing: 519-575-4608.)
Essential construction, operations and maintenance during COVID-19 Pandemic
In the coming days and weeks, residents will begin to see some essential construction projects resuming or starting. Residents will also see essential maintenance and operations work undertaken by the Region of Waterloo.
This work will be carried out with the health and well being of residents and workers as a priority.
Our community continues to have essential needs, and the Region of Waterloo continues to serve those essential needs.
In early April, the Province of Ontario outlined that construction of roads, watermains, sewers and other municipal services is essential to ensure that these services continue to work properly and to continue to meet the needs of the community.
Operations and maintenance of our roadways is also critical to the ongoing daily needs of residents in Waterloo Region. All aspects of roadway maintenance will continue such as traffic signal maintenance and repair, sign replacement and installations, line painting, roadway/surface repairs, street sweeping, general debris pickup, bridge washing, safety device repairs, winter damage repairs, grass cutting, vegetation/tree/foliage maintenance, sewer/ditch maintenance and gravel shoulder maintenance. Much of this work is also required to ensure the Region of Waterloo meets Provincial standards.
As we move forward with construction projects, and as we undertake operations and maintenance, our approach is consistent with other municipalities. We also continue to communicate on an ongoing basis with our local municipal partners.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve at a fast pace, we will continue to evaluate and re-assess our approach with the safety of residents and workers as a priority.
For more information on COVID-19 in Waterloo Region please visit: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/COVID19
Construction, Operations and Maintenance during COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
| Why is the Region proceeding with construction work at this time? |
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We understand that some residents may have concerns with construction moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 23, 2020 the Province included construction activities on a list of essential services. On April 3, 2020 the Province reduced the list of essential businesses. It maintained that construction of roads, watermains, sewers and other municipal services is essential. These services must continue to work properly to continue to meet essential community needs. In moving forward with construction projects, the Region of Waterloo is acting consistently with other local area municipalities and most other major municipalities in the Province. We will continue to evaluate and re-assess the situation as required. Contractors working for the Region will employ policies and procedures to protect the health and wellness of workers and the community in general as part the contractor’s Health and Safety Plan. Contractors will adjust these policies and procedures as required for each project. This will ensure compliance with relevant Federal, Provincial and Regional guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic issued at any given time. Region staff and consultants working for the Region will similarly be following all relevant COVID-19 guidelines during the course of construction. We will be providing more specific information for each project to homes and businesses in each construction area by mail, email and on the Region’s website. |
| Why is the Region proceeding with operations and maintenance at this time? |
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Operations and maintenance is critical to the ongoing daily needs of our community. Residents continue to have essential needs and the Region of Waterloo provides many of those needs. While some of this work may not be seen as being essential at the moment, most activities are reliant on others to be completed, for example picking up debris prior to grass mowing operations. In addition, much of this work is also required for the safe operation of our roadways and to ensure the Region of Waterloo continues to meet Provincial standards and local bylaws. We will continue to provide these services in a manner that is safe for our workers, and safe for the public. |
| What is being done to ensure workers and members of the public are safe? |
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Contractors working for the Region will employ policies and procedures to protect the health and wellness of workers and the community in general as part the contractor’s Health and Safety Plan. Contractors will adjust these policies and procedures as required for each project and in accordance with relevant Federal, Provincial and Regional guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic issued at any given time. At a minimum, there will be sanitation measures in place, physical separation will be maintained whenever possible and additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be used, if required. Any workers that have symptoms or are otherwise not feeling well will be staying home and following current public health procedures. Interactions between workers and the public will generally not be required in order for them to perform their activities. Where direct communications with the public are necessary, workers will follow policies and procedures that align with current guidelines in place at that time. All workers are expected to maintain physical distance and use appropriate personal protective equipment if they need to be closer than two metres. We remind everyone that staying as far away from work areas as possible is always a good idea. With our community’s children home from school during the day we would especially like to remind parents and caregivers that children must avoid playing around the work site. The contractors will be reminding anyone who gets too close to the work area to keep a safe distance away from work areas. |
| For construction, will anyone need to access my home or business? |
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At this time, we do not anticipate that anyone will need to access your home or business in most cases. Should the need for access arise, we will provide as much prior notice as possible and make necessary arrangements to complete the work in a manner consistent with current Health and Safety policies and procedures. Should you receive a request from a contractor to access your home or business and you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Region’s Project Manager responsible for the specific project in your area. Contact information for the Region’s Project Manager is included on any notices that you receive and is available on the in the Current Construction Projects tab below or by calling the Region at 519-575-4400. |
| Will emergency vehicles be able to access my home or business during construction? |
| Yes. Traffic restrictions and closure requirements will vary on each project. You will receive information on these requirements in advance from the Region’s project manager if you live or work at a property directly abutting the proposed construction. Each project will have measures in place to maintain emergency access at all times. Emergency Services will be advised in advance of these specific requirements for each project. |
| How will my utilities be affected by construction? |
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All utilities in the Region of Waterloo have essential staff available should any emergency situation arise that causes a disruption to service. Some projects involving watermain construction may require a temporary above-ground watermain to be installed. Temporary service will be provided through an exterior connection. Short term interruptions to your water service will be required to complete connections to the temporary and new watermains. You will be notified in advance of any planned water disruption with information on the anticipated duration, procedures to be followed, and contact information in case you have any concerns. |
| Will there be noise during construction? |
| We understand that many people are currently home with their families and also may be working from home. As with all construction activity, please anticipate some noise and vibrations. The contractor is generally permitted to work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. |
| What if a member of my household or business has any specific needs during construction? |
| If someone in your home or business has physical disabilities or special needs to access your property, please contact the Regional project manager responsible for the project. We will help ensure access is maintained where and when possible. |
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A list of Waterloo Region road closure information. An up-to-date map including road closure information for the Region of Waterloo and the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. |
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| Current construction projects | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The projects and schedules are based on the program approved by Regional Council in February 2019. The type, location or timing of these works may change or may not occur at all. These changes may occur before the start of the works or as the works are being carried out. Typical practice with reconstructing roads is to pave to base course asphalt, with surface course asphalt placed on the road the following year.
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Future construction projects |
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The projects are based on the 10-Year Capital Program approved by Regional Council on January 11, 2017. These works may change or may not occur at all.
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| Tips to reduce delays during construction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pingstreet mobile app |
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Need help getting around the Region? Have questions about Region of Waterloo services? Download the Pingstreet app. Tip: By selecting 'change' a municipality, you can access many municipalities, including the cities of Cambridge, Waterloo and Kitchener. |
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