Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey: Roads, bridges and tunnels, 2020

According to new results from Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey for 2020, the stock and condition of Canada's roads and bridges are largely consistent with the results from the 2018 cycle.

Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey 2020 was conducted in partnership with Infrastructure Canada. The data cover topics such as the stock, condition, performance and asset management strategies.

The survey results cover nine asset types (public transit; roads; bridges and tunnels; potable water; storm water; wastewater; solid waste; culture, recreation and sports facilities; public social and affordable housing).

Data are based on responses from approximately 2,260 government organizations. The following organizations are included in the survey:

• provincial and territorial departments and ministries
• regional governments
• urban and rural municipalities
• selected provincial Crown corporations and public transit authorities.

Road lengths have been reported in terms of two-lane equivalent kilometres, where one kilometre of a four-lane highway is counted as two kilometres.

Respondents were provided the following definitions for road and bridge assets:

Highways are roads that move high volumes of traffic and have controlled entrances and exits. They have a dividing strip between traffic travelling in opposite directions, and typically they have two or more lanes in each direction. Highways do not provide access to property, and generally do not accommodate cyclists or pedestrians.

Rural highways move varied traffic volumes depending on location, are medium to high speed, and usually have one, but sometimes two, lanes in each direction. As opposed to Highways above, rural highways usually have no dividing strip and may allow for direct access from adjacent developments. Traffic movement is the primary consideration and these roads are designed for higher speeds than Arterial roads as defined below.

Arterial roads move moderate to high traffic volumes over moderate distances between principal areas of traffic generation. They gather traffic from collector roads and local roads, and move it to the highway system. Arterial roads are generally designed for medium speed, have capacity for two to six lanes, and may be divided—with limited or controlled direct access from adjacent developments—and with on-street parking discouraged.

Collector roads move low to moderate traffic volumes within specific areas of a municipality, and collect local traffic for distribution to the arterial or highway system. Collector roads are generally designed for medium speed, have capacity for two to four lanes, are usually undivided—with direct access from adjacent development permitted, but usually controlled—and have controlled on-street parking usually permitted.

Local roads provide for low volumes of traffic and access to private properties. Local roads are designed for low speeds and have capacity for two undivided lanes of traffic. Through traffic is discouraged, and parking is usually permitted, though often controlled.

Respondents were provided the following condition rating scale when asked to rate the overall physical condition of their assets:

Very poor: Immediate need to replace most or all of the asset. Health and safety hazards exist which present a possible risk to public safety or asset cannot be serviced/operated without risk to personnel. Major work or replacement required urgently.

Poor: Failure likely and substantial work required in the short term. Asset barely serviceable. No immediate risk to health or safety.

Fair: Significant deterioration is evident; minor components or isolated sections of the asset need replacement or repair now but asset is still serviceable and functions safely at adequate level of service.

Good: Acceptable physical condition; minimal short-term failure risk but potential for deterioration in the long term. Only minor work required.

Very good: Sound physical condition. No short-term failure risk and no work required.