Roads continue to be one of Stratford’s most underfunded assets

The above graph shows the $5.8 million funding deficit for roads, the most underfunded of Stratford’s infrastructure, as well as the deficits for all other categories. Other than the city’s water, there is a funding deficit for all of its infrastructure assets.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Across 35,000 assets that equal out to a value of over $1 billion, the City of Stratford’s roads continue to be its most underfunded piece of infrastructure.

That fact is according to the asset management plan (AMP) update presented to city council at its meeting on May 12.   

According to the update, nearly half of the road network, which has a total replacement cost of $299.5 million, is assessed as “very poor” (48 per cent). Nine per cent is in “poor” condition, 15 per cent is in “fair” condition, 12 per cent is in “good” condition, and 16 per cent is in “very good condition.”

The report suggests that an average capital budget of over $30 million is needed towards the city’s infrastructure in order to maintain; however, the city averages about $18.7 million, leaving a $11.5 million gap.

Roads are the hardest hit of the city’s asset categories. They require an average annual requirement of $9.5 million and received a historical average of $3.7 million. That is a $5.8 million deficit each year.

Put in terms of a yearly budget, roads and all other infrastructure categories require a 17 per cent budget increase.

Johnny Bowes, the city’s manager of asset management, noted in his presentation of the update that the goal of the AMP being presented that evening is to identify problems. The next phase of the review (to be completed later this year) will include a comprehensive sustainable financial strategy to be endorsed by council.

Though a dire picture of the infrastructure-gap in the city, having such a thorough plan will be beneficial for the city not only in terms of identifying problems, but in terms of fixing said problems.

“Asset management plans are directly linked to federal and provincial funding,” Bowes said. “Over the course of the last few years, one of the first things that is asked on pretty much all grants and funding stream applications: “Do you have an asset management plan approved by council? Is it in effect?” So if we do not have an updated asset management plan and continue this program that the province is regulating, then it will affect our annual funding. … We need these funding streams, like every other municipality, because they play a huge part in our capital projects, our capital programs.”

From 2026 and beyond, the AMP will be reviewed annually and its associated policy will be updated every five years, in accordance with provincial direction.

The 147-page plan, which covers all of the city’s core and non-core assets, can be found in the May 12 council meeting agenda, found here: https://tinyurl.com/53hmypsk