The Government of Ontario has launched a new initiative aimed at helping small municipalities improve the safety and quality of their local roads. The Pothole Prevention and Repair Program (PPRP), announced in November 2025, provides targeted funding to support road maintenance, extend the life of municipal assets, and promote consistent construction standards across the province.

Administered by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), the program is part of the Reducing Gridlock and Saving You Time Act. It will provide municipalities with up to $38,000 for eligible pothole prevention and repair projects during the 2025–26 program year.

Supporting Small Communities

The program is specifically designed for single- and lower-tier municipalities with populations under 10,000, as reported in the 2021 Census. These communities often manage large road networks with limited staff and budgets, making preventive maintenance programs especially valuable.

The PPRP’s objectives are to:

• Provide funding for critical road preservation and pothole repair projects; and
• Encourage the use of harmonized standards and sound asset management practices that improve road quality province-wide.

Good Roads welcomes this initiative as a practical step toward addressing one of the most persistent challenges faced by municipal road departments.

Eligible Work and Expenses

The PPRP funds both preventative maintenance and repair activities, including:

• Rout and Seal, Micro-Surfacing, Slurry Seal, and Surface Treatments;
• Granular In-Fill and Grading of Unpaved Roads;
• Hot Mix Asphalt Patching, Scarification, and Concrete Joint Seal Repairs.

Eligible costs include the purchase of materials, labour, and equipment, as well as pavement condition assessments. To ensure funds are used effectively, administrative costs and design work for future projects are not eligible.

Accountability and Reporting

Municipalities receiving funding will be required to submit compliance and final reports, including asset management plans, pavement condition data, and information about completed work. This information will help MTO monitor outcomes and inform future program design.

To qualify for future funding opportunities, participating municipalities must meet all reporting requirements by April 17, 2026.

How to Apply

Applications are open now through Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON). Municipalities must submit their applications by December 12, 2025.

New applicants will need to create a My Ontario Account to access the TPON portal. Once registered, municipalities can complete and submit the application online.

Eligible expenditures must occur between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

For program details, visit Transfer Payment Ontario or contact the Ministry of Transportation at PPRP@ontario.ca.

Download the full program guide here.