Pothole season: what the County is doing

Spring is just around the corner, with the promise of warmer temperatures, longer days, rain – and, unfortunately, more potholes.

The municipality reports crews are out every day filling potholes.

“We will soon embark on the largest road improvement program the County has ever seen: $14 million worth of work in 2026. That total includes $4.5 million in rehabilitation and preventative maintenance on 53 km of rural roads, $874,000 more than 2025,” states Mark Kerr, the County’s Communications and Consultation Supervisor. “We thank you for your co-operation as we work to maintain safe and reliable roadways ahead of the summer road construction season.”

Potholes are a fact of driving life, but they are particularly bad during the late winter and early spring during the freeze-thaw cycle. They are formed when water seeps into cracks in the pavement. As temperatures fluctuate, the water expands and contracts, weakening the road surface. Traffic passing over these weakened areas causes the pavement to break apart, creating potholes.

“Like a giant game of “Whack-a-Mole”, County staff try to patch potholes as they pop-up,” adds Kerr. “Crews prioritize repairs based on severity, traffic volume, and safety concerns. Weather conditions can impact repair schedules, but addressing roadway hazards remains a top priority.”

Despite our staff’s best efforts — and no fault of their own — potholes persist, he notes.

“Simply put: there aren’t enough hours in the day to fill every pothole across 1,100 kilometres of roads the municipality maintains. It’s frustrating; we know! (We also drive the same roads as you). We appreciate your patience as we make the repairs.”

See a big pothole? Call the municipality. Prompt reporting helps staff respond quickly and prevent further damage.

To report a pothole, use the County’s Action Tracker on the municipal website to submit a request for staff follow-up. Alternatively, you can contact the County at 613.476.2148 extension 1023, 613.962.9108 extension 1023, or email info@pecounty.on.ca