Roads Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For substantial construction projects we advertise in local newspapers, post notices on the County website and hand deliver notices to area residents to let you know about Public Information Centres (PICs).  PICs are a drop-in type of format where study material and display boards related to the project will be available to review and discuss with the Project Team.  We encourage you to attend PICs, it’s your opportunity to ask questions and provide comments about the project. 
For major projects we may also use social media, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram!

Yes, the County provides updates on road closures to Emergency Services at all times. Emergency services will be aware of access issues in your areas.

Inspections are carried out annually; the Pavement Condition Index system is used to determine the need and timing for a road to be rehabilitated or reconstructed.

Continue to place your garbage and recycling out by 7:00 am on your usual collection day. If there are any changes to the collection schedule or placement of garbage and recycling, you will be notified by the County. 

There are 710 kilometres of 2-lane roads in the County.

The County has a By-Law to regulate the operation of ORVs / ATVs on highways and roadways within its jurisdiction.  Schedule A of the By-law lists the sections of road(s) where ORV / ATV use is permitted.

To report sightings of noxious weeds on Township or County Roads please visit the County's Weed Inspection page.

If a mailbox has been damaged by a direct impact with a County vehicle during plowing or roadside maintenance, please notify the Roads department through Report an Issue. A County staff member will inspect the mailbox and post to determine if a repair/replacement is warranted.

Residents can contact Canada Post to retrieve your mail in the meantime.

County staff will create a Service Request, which will notify the appropriate department and staff member responsible. A Roads Supervisor may need to inspect the concern before determining what work is required to address it. Service Requests are completed based on priority/severity.

County depots do not provide sand or salt to the public. Please contact your local municipality.

For Road emergencies such as a tree or dead animal obstructing on the road, please call our after-hours answering service 705-742-6823.

For general issues that can be addressed during business hours please use Report an Issue or email roads@ptbocounty.ca directly

According to section 181 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, no person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission. If an accident were to occur, you could be held liable.

Peterborough County Operations (Roads) has patrollers who monitor road conditions 24/7 from November through to April. Each winter storm is unique and may be handled differently.  Plow truck operators are called in to various Depots throughout the County depending on where the snow is. Operators are on designated routes to plow or spread material (sand/salt) as necessary. During an active storm, our plow drivers focus on keeping the road clear for motorists, then after the snow stops, operators then push the snow off the shoulders.

There are over 700 kilometres (1400 2-lane kilometres) of County roads to maintain with 16 plow routes. Depending on the severity of a storm and how quickly the wind is blowing or how quickly snow is accumulating, it may appear that plows are not out when in fact they have already made 1 or more passes and it may take up to 3 hours for that operator to complete the route and return for a 2^nd pass.

This is not an intentional act of the operator. We understand this can be frustrating to residents, however, the operators are required to remove snow from the roadway. A tip to reduce the “Second Shovel” is to shovel in the same direction as traffic – piling snow downstream of the plow.

Peterborough County sells its surplus vehicles and equipment on GovDeals each year.