Residents in the northeastern region have been expressing dissatisfaction with the condition of roads as a significant concern in the ongoing municipal election campaign. While not consistently the primary focus in informal surveys conducted by CBC Sudbury, road quality frequently ranks among the top three issues, often tied to matters of financial transparency and taxation.
Joanne Labunski, who relocated from Calgary to Sudbury six years ago, remarked that the roads in her neighborhood are notably poor, necessitating almost off-road vehicle-like capabilities due to their uneven surfaces. Labunski emphasized the broader issue of resource allocation by the council and staff, advocating for increased fiscal transparency, particularly regarding road infrastructure funding.
Olli Matikainen, a retired mining engineer residing in Fairbank Lake, highlighted the substandard condition of the road leading to his property, despite what he considers substantial taxes paid. Matikainen criticized the city’s annual patchwork approach, noting its short-lived effectiveness, suggesting that investing more upfront in road construction could lead to longer-lasting results.
Tony Cecutti, a former city engineer, attributed the challenges in maintaining roads in Greater Sudbury to a combination of high taxes and unfavorable soil conditions, particularly affecting areas like Azilda and New Sudbury. Cecutti underscored the impact of harsh weather conditions in northeastern Ontario, exacerbating road deterioration, compounded by the extensive road network relative to the population size, straining the municipal budget for roads and bridges.
According to a City of Greater Sudbury spokesperson, the municipality allocated $37 million for road projects in 2025, with a projected budget of $67 million for 2027, subject to budgetary adjustments. The primary revenue source for road maintenance is taxpayer funds, supplemented by a 1.5% special capital levy.
Addressing the broader road infrastructure challenges, Scott Butler, the executive director of Good Roads representing local governments, criticized the reliance on property taxes as insufficient for maintaining municipal roads effectively. Butler advocated for long-term planning and investment in innovative road construction technologies to enhance durability and cost-effectiveness. He proposed exploring debt financing as a viable solution to secure upfront funding for road and bridge projects, emphasizing the potential benefits of addressing road issues promptly in light of climate change impacts on road degradation.
The need for proactive investment in road maintenance to combat climate-induced deterioration was emphasized by Butler, stressing the urgency of addressing road infrastructure challenges promptly to mitigate long-term costs and environmental impacts.
