In August 2026, Ontario filed O. Reg. 283/26: STANDARDS FOR ROAD DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, making 61 provincial standards for municipal road construction mandatory for projects procured on or after July 1, 2027. Harmonization could deliver an estimated $4.17 billion in savings over ten years, but it also carries real risks, particularly for rural and remote municipalities where costs could rise or road quality could fall. The standards are fixed to dated versions with no clear mechanism to keep them current, and municipalities must file annual compliance reports and request exemptions one project at a time. Good Roads is working to ensure harmonization delivers real savings without leaving smaller municipalities behind.