Ontario’s 444 municipalities maintain nearly 300,000 lane kilometres of local roads, worth more than $143 billion. Yet despite this massive shared responsibility, there’s no consistent standard for how these roads are designed or built. In the GTA alone, more than 300 different asphalt mixes are used—creating inefficiencies, driving up costs, and delaying project delivery.

On October 23rd, the province introduced Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act (2025). Through this legislation, there’s a new opportunity to fix this long-standing issue. Harmonizing Ontario’s municipal road construction standards could help every community stretch limited infrastructure dollars further, accelerate project timelines, and improve the durability of local roads.

Good Roads supports the province’s efforts to harmonize municipal road construction standards.

Why It Matters for Municipalities

Good Roads estimates that harmonization could save Ontario’s municipalities up to $4.17 billion over the next decade. These savings would come from:

• Coordinated bulk purchasing
• Streamlined design and construction practices
• Faster project delivery
• Longer-lasting pavements

For local governments under constant financial pressure, harmonization offers a rare opportunity: a policy change that can reduce costs, support housing and infrastructure goals, and deliver better results for residents.

Managing the Transition

Change comes with costs. Good Roads’ analysis shows that the transition to standardized practices could total $955 million province-wide, with smaller, rural, and northern municipalities most affected. Without provincial support, these communities could face a disproportionate burden.

There’s also the risk of market consolidation—as standards tighten, fewer contractors may be able to compete, reducing competition and choice in local procurement.

Good Roads’ Recommendations

To make harmonization work for municipalities, Good Roads is calling for:

1. A $250 million provincial transition fund to help municipalities cover the upfront costs of training, testing, IT systems, and compliance.
2. A joint provincial-municipal governance structure to oversee the process, ensuring transparency, technical integrity, and accountability.
3. Procurement reform and innovation to help municipalities adapt to changing market dynamics and ensure savings flow back into public budgets.

What Municipal Leaders Can Do

Municipal councils and staff have an important role to play in shaping this initiative. We encourage you to:

• Raise the issue with your local MPP and share how harmonization could benefit your community.
• Engage with Good Roads as we continue to advocate for a fair, well-funded transition that protects municipal interests.
• Submit feedback directly to the Ministry of Transportation through the Environmental Registry, which can be accessed here.

With thoughtful design and strong municipal input, harmonization can make Ontario’s roads more affordable, more durable, and easier to deliver—helping every community build faster and smarter.