Road and Sidewalk Maintenance

Whether you enjoy walking, biking or driving around Woodstock, our roads, sidewalks, curbs, sewers and drainage systems are integral to our lives in Woodstock.

Making sure our streets and sidewalks continue to meet our established quality standards is one of the ways we maintain our infrastructure. We do this through:

• Asphalt patching
• Curb repairs
• Grading gravel roads and shoulders
• Mowing roadside grass
• Road line marking
• Sewer maintenance
• Uneven and cracked sidewalk repair

Our regular maintenance program is designed to proactively address the wear and tear on our streets but if you notice something that needs to be fixed, let us know.

Driveway Widening and Curb Cuts

Prior to excavating your driveway, you will need to contact Ontario One Call to locate all utility services around the work you are doing. The service is free and all you need to do is call 1-800-400-2255 or online at ON1Call.com.

If you are considering widening your driveway, you will need to apply for a Driveway Widening/Excavation Permit.  Residents are permitted to widen their driveway up to 50 per cent of their lot frontage. The frontage is considered the smaller property line measurement. There is no cost for the permit, but if you require your curb to be cut, there will be a fee. Once your permit is approved by our Building Department, our Public Works Supervisor will follow up with your regarding the cost of cutting the curb and if you wish to proceed. Some properties have their water valve/curb stop located underneath their driveway. If you need your water valve located or inspected prior to paving or repaving your driveway call 519-539-2382 ext. 3120. 

If you do not require your driveway to be widened, but would still like to have the curb cut leading into your driveway, you can call the Engineering Office at 519-539-2382 ext. 3104 or 3102 and be forwarded to one of our Public Works Supervisors to discuss your options and fees.

Catch Basins / Storm Drains

Catch basins, also known as storm sewers are vital in controlling potential flood situations. Water from sidewalks and streets drain into these catch basins. For this reason it is vital to keep them clear of debris. The City monitors and clears these catch basins, especially in areas that have been known to have flooding issues. If you notice a catch basin that needs clearing, please call the Public Works Department. 

Residents also play an important role in helping us to keep catch basins clear of debris!  Grass clippings, leaves and small yard waste clippings that are repeatedly swept into gutters and catch basins can create clogs, causing flooding and becoming a potential breeding ground for rodents and insects. By keeping these materials off the road and disposing of them properly at our yard waste depot, which is open seven days a week at 944 James St., potential flooding can be reduced in your neighbourhood.  

How you can help!

• In the summer and fall, clear leaves, branches and sticks from the catch basin and bring them to our yard waste depot
• In the winter and spring, clear snow and ice from the catch basins
• Clean up any garbage and recycling that is blowing around the area
• Contact the City if you see damaged grates
• If you notice that a catch basin is clogged, clear away the debris to avoid flooding. If you can’t do it yourself, or if the catch basin is submerged, contact the Public Works Department
• Protect our waterways! Please do not dispose of household chemicals and cleaner, or used motor oil into the catch basin

Potholes

Although City staff regularly patrol streets to identify potholes and other road deficiencies, potholes can develop quickly when temperatures hover around zero degrees. We can use your help in identifying locations that require attention.

When reporting a pothole, please be as specific as possible about the location and let us know as many of the following details as you can gather:

• the name of the street
• the nearest building address (e.g. 123 Main St.)
• the name of the nearest cross-street
• which lane (i.e., north bound lane, turning lane, etc.)

Pothole complaints are addressed on both a priority and scheduling basis. 

Street sweeping

Street sweeping takes place in spring, summer and fall. The street sweeping program removes winter sanding materials, leaves and debris that have accumulated on roads.

Please do not sweep grass clippings, and other debris onto the road. These materials eventually make their way into catch basins and can potentially keep water from draining properly into them, as well as making their way into our waterways.  Please help us and the environment by taking these items to our yard waste depot.

Sidewalk Maintenance

Sidewalk deficiencies are reviewed on an annual basis and prioritized in accordance with our maintenance program and provincial legislation. Not all cracked sidewalks requires repair. Hairline cracks do not pose a tripping hazard, they are more aesthetically unpleasing.

To report a trip hazard, please call the Public Works Department at 519-539-2382 ext. 3104 or 3102 to have the sidewalk reviewed by staff and placed on a list for future repairs.