Calgary unanimously approves more funding to combat potholes
The City of Calgary is more than doubling its budget this year to help tackle the city's pothole problem.
After a "favourable snow and ice control season" for the city of Calgary, officials said there was about $8.9 million available in the winter maintenance reserve fund.
Upon hearing about the available funding, Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong suggested the money could be used right now.
"Considering the condition of the roads and the season we've had in consideration to the freeze and thaw cycle," Demong said, "If that $8.9 million were made available, would you be able to put it to action, put it to work this year?"
Following a discussion over the amendment to Calgary's winter maintenance policy update at Tuesday's meeting, council unanimously approved Demong's motion.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Officials said the money would be used to improve surface conditions and address some of the high-priority areas in Calgary.
Over the past few weeks, crews have been hard at work in many different areas of Calgary to repair potholes in roads.
Administration said Tuesday that crews have filled more potholes than ever before.
"There were many freeze-thaw cycles that really affected the quality of our roads," administration said. "We're getting lots of feedback from customers and council that we need to take action quickly."
According to Calgary's roads department, the Canada's average pavement quality index, a measure that rates the quality of infrastructure, is about 63 while Calgary's sits at 38.
Last year, the city of Calgary filled approximately 33,500 potholes. So far in 2024, crews have filled about 8,800 potholes.
In comparison, the city has already filled about 2,000 more potholes than up to this point in 2023.
"The roads have gotten pretty ugly and it behooves us to do our best to try to alleviate the situation," Demong said.
Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer seconded Demong's motion for the amendment.
"I think this is well-put," he told council. "This is a big priority for Calgarians right now."
Spencer said extra funds right now would end up saving the city money in the long run.
"If anything, I would be hoping for more."
Administration said they would be able to use all of the allocated funds this year and they would be spent on the "immediate needs" of Calgarians.
"This investment will allow us to take care of immediate issues of street repair beyond our $6.9 million budget," officials said.
"We would expect to do surface overlay as part of this investment on key corridors."
Despite the surprise injection of funds, the city's road department said much more would be needed to ensure Calgary's roads are kept in good shape.
"At around $90 million, we would see an improvement in our pavement quality index, but to keep it static, around $50 million would be needed to keep it at our current level."
The city says it is responsible for more than $10 billion worth of roads and by investing highly in maintenance, the lifespan of those roads could be easily extended.
The roads department said it will return to council in November with its recommendations on a budget that could improve the overall quality of Calgary's roads and bring it closer to the Canadian average.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
BREAKING Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery
Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
Real GDP per capita declines for 6th consecutive quarter, household savings rise
Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized pace of one per cent during the third quarter, in line with economists' expectations.
Nick Cannon says he's seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder
Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying 'I need help.'
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.