Federal highway program that recognizes rehabilitation and resurfacing costs as well as new capital expansion

Provincial and territorial governments have been continually urging the federal government to allocate more of its fuel tax revenue for maintaining transportation infrastructures. Current federal funding programs have generally focused on new capital expansion and the addition of new capacity. The majority of rehabilitation and resurfacing of existing highways across the country is thus left to the provinces, territories and municipalities. However, to gain the greatest benefit from local, provincial and territorial investments, it is essential and appropriate that the federal government make significant investments. When a new federal highways program is introduced in 2006, it is essential that it recognizes not only capital expansion but also the rehabilitation and resurfacing needs of existing highway infrastructure, as was agreed when the Ministers of Transportation approved a new National Highway System at their Calgary meeting in September 2005.

When contracting pavement reconstruction projects consideration should be given to rehabilitating our roads using proven methods that minimize the impact to the environment while conserving our nonrenewable resources. Both Hot-in-Place and Cold-in-Place Asphalt Recycling address these considerations and are currently being utilized throughout Canada. In light of significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact, pavement recycle technologies should be considered as a road rehabilitation option.