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U.S. rural roads experts en route to Barrie for workshop

Keynote speakers at Oct. 9 event to share expertise on keeping low-volume roads safe
USED 2019-07-18 Country Road RB
A narrow bridge crosses a small creek on the outskirts of Barrie in this file photo. | Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

NEWS RELEASE
GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION
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Good Roads is bringing together more than 100 road and infrastructure professionals to discuss and solve issues surrounding low-volume roads in communities.

Good Roads is a municipal association that has been helping municipalities since 1894. 

The Low Volume Road Workshop is the first of its kind in the sector and draws attendees from around the province and welcomes keynote speakers from the United States.

“A low volume road is a roadway that sees vehicle traffic less than 400 vehicles a day. Some are gravel roads, some are surface treated. The misconception is that these roads are low maintenance, when they are typically not cost-effective,” said James Smith, PhD, manager, technical programs and research, Good Roads.

“We’ve heard from our members that they need information and assistance regarding low volume roads, which are more seen in rural areas. It’s a safety issue at the end of the day.”

The Low Volume Roads Workshop is hosting keynotes Brian Keierleber, the County Engineer for Buchanan County, Iowa and Dr. Halil Ceylan, professor in the Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Department at Iowa State University, and Dr. Stefan Louw, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California Pavement Research Center.

(The workshop takes place Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m at Liberty North, located at 100 Caplan Ave.)

Topics covered during the workshops include asset management, drainage, dust, maintenance techniques, material stabilization, potholes, winter maintenance, budgeting and more, plus an exhibitor hall. For a complete copy of the agenda and information, please click here

Good Roads is a municipal association concerned with the advancement of roads and other infrastructure in Ontario. Based in Oakville, Ont., 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 430 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.

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