Assumption of Roads

The issue arises from time to time as to the process whereby the Township assumes the responsibility for the maintenance of Township owned right of ways (ROWs) that are traversed by private lanes.

The Public Services Committee initiated a formalized process for assumption of lanes on both Township owned and non-owned ROWs. Council approved the criteria listed below on September 5, 2017.

If the following criteria are met then the Township will assume the applicable sections of road.

Criteria

• The Right of Way is to be built to Public Roads Standards. 
• The section to be assumed must be connected to a public road and continuous.
• The entire private lane must be assumable.
• For sections of private lanes that fall within non-Township owned ROWs, the property owners must be prepared to transfer ownership, at no cost, to the Township.
• More than 50% of property owners, who will use the ROW, must be in favour of assumption by the Township.
• In addition to approved public road standards, asphalt surface is required in plans of subdivisions and hamlets.
• Sidewalk requirements in hamlets on cul-de-sacs generally greater than 150 m in length.
• Turn around required at end of ROW.

Based on the approved 2017 Operating Budget, road maintenance is estimated to cost, on average, approximately $5,000 per centerline kilometre. All public roads within South Frontenac are Township-owned and include everything from arterial roads, which cost significantly more to maintain, to dead end gravel roads.

Questions about the assumption of non-subdivision roads can be directed to the Director of Public Services by email.