April 20, 2022, Oakville, ON – Congratulations to the County of Essex for winning the 2021 John Niedra Better Practices Competition, Innovative Service Delivery category. The award was announced during the 2022 Good Roads Conference in Toronto, April 10-13, 2022.

“The competition showcases the ingenuity of municipal employees and recognizes innovations and achievements that improve the efficiency of municipal transportation and public works services and operations.” said Scott Butler, Executive Director, Good Roads.

“Essex was recognized with the award for its durable pavement paint markings. The durability of thermoplastic paint markings can be significantly extended if they are made flush with the surrounding concrete pavement. In 2013, the County of Essex developed an internal construction process to provide special paint markings (arrows and yield blocks) that are maintenance-free and flush with the pavement surface. In 2021, the paint marking looks as good as new compared to other paint markings constructed on top of the finished surface. The county expects that they will last another fifteen (15) years. This innovative service has eliminated the need to re-paint the markings resulting in a savings of approximately $5,000 per marking.” said Dr. James Smith, Manager of Research and Technical Products.

Every year Good Roads recognizes municipal, First Nation and corporate member projects that help improve the quality of life of residents.

Good Roads is a municipal association concerned with the advancement of roads and other infrastructure in Ontario. Based in Oakville, Ontario, we have been devoted to the cause of better roads since 1894. Originally known as the Ontario Good Roads Association (and still using that name corporately), we have more than 450 member governments, including most of Ontario’s municipalities and a growing number of First Nations, as well as dozens of affiliated corporate members in the transportation and infrastructure sectors. Our purpose, in part, is to connect our members to each other, to other levels of government, and to relevant companies in the private sector. Our members look to us for training, knowledge, political advocacy, and answers to their most pressing problems. Good Roads is resolutely independent.

For more information, please contact:
Rachel Swiednicki
Manager, Communications and Marketing
Good Roads
1525 Cornwall Road, Unit 22
Oakville, ON L6J 0B2
P. 289-291-OGRA (6472) ext. 30
C. 905-630-0542