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Gravel roads are a major part of Ontario’s municipal road network, yet much of what crews know about maintaining them has been passed down informally, from one operator to the next. The results are familiar: potholes that return after every rain, washboarding, shoulder berms that trap water on the road, and untested pit material that breaks down within a season. Gravel Roads brings proven construction and maintenance practices together in one practical course, starting with what a good gravel road looks like and how to diagnose what is really causing a failure, then working through drainage, materials, grading, dust control and stabilization, and seasonal operations.
The final day turns to the business case: lifecycle costing, asset management, and deciding when to maintain, stabilize, or upgrade. Along the way, you will handle real aggregate samples, rate road conditions from field photos, and analyze Ontario case studies with your peers. You leave with an implementation plan built for your own road network and the evidence to support it. Properly managed, gravel roads are an economical asset. This course shows you how to keep them that way.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Guelph 35 Cowan Pl., Guelph, ON
$359.99 + taxes/night (Standard rooms, non-smoking)
$379.99 + taxes/night (King Suite with Pull-out Sofa, non-smoking)
Check-in: 3:00 pm; Check-out: 12:00 pm
To book, call the hotel directly at 519-763-2339 and ask for the “Ontario Good Roads “special rate.
Please note: The cut-off date to book is Friday, February 26, 2027, to guarantee a reservation. Once the reservation is made, no complimentary changes or cancellations are allowed after Sunday, April 18, 2027.
Delta Hotels Guelph Conference Centre 50 Stone Rd. West, ON
$209.00 + taxes/night
Book your group rate for Good Roads – Open Block
Please note: The cut-off date to book is Monday, April 5, 2027, to guarantee a reservation.
Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre 700 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, ON
$149 + taxes/night (Traditional 2 Queens and Deluxe 1 Queen with pullout)
Check-in: 3:00 pm; Check-out: 11:00 am
To book, call the Reservations Department at 1-866-622-1505 or Email frontdesk1@cambridgehotel.ca and use the group name: Guelph Road School 2027
A valid credit card is required for all individual reservations to guarantee the room.
Please note: The cut-off date to book is Monday, April 2, 2027, to guarantee a reservation.
Warren Nicholishen
Warren brings 34 years of experience in maintenance operations and road design. His educational background is in Civil Technology and Land Surveying. His areas of expertise include road maintenance programs from winter to sewer maintenance infrastructure. He is one of the longest serving Snow School instructor’s and served on the Ontario Road Salt Management Group as Co-Chair and Chair. Warren has worked with both large and smaller municipalities, beginning as a technologist and ending as the Director of Public Works. He’s familiar with every aspect of municipal road and maintenance operations from daily administration to managing operations staff. Warren was also one of three Canadian members to sit on the APWA (American Public Works Association) Winter Sub Committee. He’s had articles published in national trade publications and delivered numerous presentations across North America. He continues to work as a Senior Roadway Management Consultant with the private sector.
Question:
Is this course suitable for people new to gravel roads?
Answer:
Yes. The course starts with the fundamentals of what makes a good gravel road before moving into diagnosis, materials, and maintenance. It is equally valuable for experienced staff who learned on the job and want to confirm and formalize their practices.
Question:
Will there be hands-on components?
Answer:
Yes. You will examine real aggregate samples, rate road conditions from photos, work through drainage and material quantity calculations, analyze Ontario case studies in small groups, and complete a lifecycle costing exercise.
Question:
Is there a final exam?
Answer:
No. Short quizzes at the end of each day and practical activities make up your grade, and a passing grade of 65% is required.
Question:
Does the course reflect conditions in Northern Ontario?
Answer:
Yes. The course addresses regional differences across the province, including material availability, soil types, and longer winters in the north, while setting out minimum standards that apply everywhere.
Question:
Will I leave with something I can use back at work?
Answer:
Yes. On the final day you build an implementation plan that identifies priority improvements for your road network, a realistic timeline, and how you will measure success
