Public Works and Roads
The Public Works Department is responsible for all Township roads, including construction projects and ongoing maintenance work.
This department maintains the 85 kilometres of paved roads, 424 kilometres of gravel roads, 64 culverts and 74 bridges within the Township’s boundaries.
Maintenance of roadways is an ongoing program which includes such activities as grading, snow removal, salting & sanding, gravel resurfacing, dust layering, ditching, tree removal, grass cutting, sign and culvert installations, and debris pick up.
The Department’s goal is to keep the Township’s roadways in good repair to ensure the safety of our residents and the travelling public.
The Public Works Department operates one patrol yard in the Township, located between Thamesford and Kintore. Click here to view a map of Patrol Service Areas.
In 2008, Council made a resolution adopting a Design Manual for the Township of Zorra dated 2000, which was prepared by Spriet Associates. Review the Design Manual.
A Roads Condition Study was completed in 2016 and submitted to Council for information in early 2017. View the report here.
At the October 23, 2019 Special Council meeting, Council was presented with the Road Needs Study 2019 report prepared by D.M. Wills Associates Limited. Related documents are available for viewing by clicking the links below.
A recommendation that came out of this study was an adjustment to gravel schedules. Staff report addressing this item is available here.
The purchase of the Robinson Pit by the Township of Zorra has proven to be a prudent financial investment. The administrative cost per tonne of gravel is $0.40 based on a supply of 4,000,000 tonnes during the life of this pit. This included the land purchase of the pit; legal and consulting costs and opening costs from 2004-2010. It does not include the costs of processing or transporting gravel which is allocated to the specific end use of the material removed from the pit.
The material extracted to date has been of excellent quality. We apply maintenance gravel to our gravel roads alternating between the north and south end of the Township each year. This uses approximately 55,000 tonnes of Crushed Gravel each year. We also supply Township road construction and maintenance projects carried out with our staff and equipment.
We have scheduled gravel crushing each year to have the necessary stockpile for the following years’ usage. With the gravel available, we can begin our maintenance gravelling as soon as weather permits following the lifting of the half-load season in May of each year.
Any questions regarding the Robinson Gravel Pit may be directed to the Director of Public Works at 519-485-2490 ext 7227.
Reports related to the Robinson Pit are available for review by clicking on the links below.Robinson Pit Reports
The 2023 Budget process included a ten-year plan for capital budget items related to roads and bridges. These items are available by clicking on the links below.
Roads
Responsibility for the roads in the Township of Zorra is in the hands of both the Township and the County of Oxford. The Township is responsible for the construction and maintenance of all Township roads within the municipality, while the County is responsible for all County roads.
For concerns regarding County roads, please contact the Oxford County Public Works Department at 519-539-9800.
For concerns regarding Township roads, please contact the Director of Public Works at 519-485-2490 ext 7227.
Have a specific question about Winter Road Maintenance? View our Frequently Asked Questions document here.
The purpose of the Traffic Calming Policy is to provide Township staff, the public, and Council with a systematic procedure for the initiation, investigation, and implementation of traffic calming measures within residential neighbourhoods on collector and local roads.
This policy does not apply to arterial roads because typically they are intended to serve higher traffic volumes and higher speeds, and usually correspond to roads under the jurisdiction of Oxford County. Traffic calming can be a contentious subject and should be dealt with in a clear, concise, and transparent manner that will meet the needs and expectations of the community.
While some residents perceive that they already have the solutions to traffic issues in their neighbourhood, studies across North America have shown that using the wrong tool to address a traffic issue often does not solve the problem, and could also result in creating additional safety issues in the area. Our Traffic Calming Measures policy defines what traffic calming is and how to properly address these types of concerns. Because traffic calming measures have a direct impact on neighbourhoods and the residents living in them, public participation and community support for the traffic calming measure is highly important.
Resident communication, support and feedback is included throughout the process. This public participation allows residents to voice their support and concerns for the Township’s consideration in traffic calming measures. It also provides staff with the opportunity to explain to residents the benefits of traffic calming measures, while deterring them from less effective countermeasures. Council approved the Township of Zorra Traffic Calming Policy and Guide at the November 18, 2020 meeting.
Traffic Calming Guide (accessible format)
Traffic Calming Measures - Resident Guide
Traffic Calming Measures - Resident Guide (accessible format)
A Work in Right-of-Way Permit relates to any activity that results in traffic disruption, including bins, materials and equipment blocking lanes, or the cutting, excavation, boring, filling, additions, or altering in any way, roadways, curbs, sidewalks, boulevards, ditches, trails, and other areas within the right-of-way. A traffic plan in compliance with the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM), Book 7, Temporary Conditions for traffic plan instructions, may be required.
We use the Permit Central online system for entrance permit applications. Visit their website at https://zorra.permits.transnomis.com/ to complete your application.
At a regular meeting on March 6, 2012, the Council of the Township of Zorra passed the following resolution:
“THAT Council adopt the Township of Zorra Work and Road Use Permit as attached to Memorandum 2012-048 from the Director of Public Works.”
The fee for a Work and Road Use Permit is $158.00. For the form and conditions, visit our Forms Page.
Our roads can be closed for a variety of reasons including paving, culvert replacement, general road repairs, and many other reasons. Road closures are posted here to keep our residents informed. For further information regarding any Township road closure, please contact the Township office at 519-485-2490.
Want to find out details about a specific road closure? All road closures in the County of Oxford are posted on the County website.
The Township provides snow removal services on Township roads in the winter months to ensure safe travel on our roads during weather emergencies.
For concerns regarding snow removal, please contact the Director of Public Works at 519-485-2490 ext 7227.
In 2023, Council directed Public Works Staff to report on the gravel road sections in Zorra that provide access to aggregate pits. The report was presented to Council at a regular meeting on April 5, 2023. The report and presentation are available here.