Back to SearchNOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION
It is currently anticipated that this work will be complete by September 6, 2024, weather permitting.
A follow up application of Single Surface Treatment will be completed during the 2025 season and is expected to be completed by August 8, 2025.
The ministry will be applying surface treatment to Highway 588 as part of our regular highway resurfacing program. This work will allow the ministry to improve ride quality for all road users and correct distresses in the pavement surface.
The MTO is responsible for approximately 1,500 kilometres of secondary surface treated highways across the North, Area West Region. Highway 588 is one of the highways in the region that is currently surface treated. The road condition of all surface treated highways is evaluated in detail biennially, and those condition ratings are used to prioritize upcoming highway improvement programs. Surface treatment rehabilitation is typically completed on a five-year cycle. Regular highway surface rehabilitation is required to ensure that a safe driving surface is maintained for the travelling public. The double surface treatment application process includes pulverizing the existing highway surface, applying Granular A material to improve crossfall and drainage,
applying a layer of asphalt emulsion, and the application of a cover aggregate. Fine grain material is typically present in the cover aggregate. This can result in the presence of dust during construction operations. This fine grain material is an important aspect of the surface treatment process which helps to facilitate a high-performing final product once construction is complete.
The ministry is aware that dust can be a concern for area residents during the surface treatment process. To address these concerns, the ministry will take appropriate steps, such as wetting down the sections of Highway 588 under construction to minimize dusty conditions when possible.
The MTO appreciates that ongoing construction operations and resulting dust can be both inconvenient and frustrating for area residents. However, the ministry will be working diligently to mitigate dusty conditions while still ensuring that the final highway surface is high quality, resilient, and safe for the travelling public.
Questions & Answers
Key Messages:
Construction operations will be ongoing on Highway 588 from 10.6 km west of Highway 593 Jct. for 10.26 km and from 300 m west of Highway 595 Jct. westerly for 8.6 km beginning approximately July 8, 2024.
It is currently anticipated that this work will be complete by September 6, 2024, weather permitting. A follow up application of Single Surface Treatment will be completed during the summer of 2025. This is expected to be completed by August 8, 2025.
The safety of the people traveling on Ontario’s highways is a responsibility that the ministry takes very seriously. Ensuring that highway maintenance is carried out in accordance with our standards and operational requirements will continue to be a priority.
The ministry will be applying surface treatment to Highway 588 as part of our regular highway resurfacing program. This work will allow the ministry to improve ride quality for all road users and the correct distresses in the pavement surface.
The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for approximately 1,500 kilometres of secondary surface treated highways across the North, Area West Region. Highway 588 is one of the highways in the region that is currently surface treated.
Surface treatment rehabilitation is typically completed on a five-year cycle. Regular highway surface rehabilitation is required to ensure that a safe driving surface is maintained for the travelling public.
The surface treatment application process may include pulverizing the existing highway surface, applying Granular A material to improve crossfall and drainage, applying a layer of asphalt emulsion, and the application of a cover aggregate. Fine grain material is typically present in the cover aggregate. This can result in the presence of dust during construction operations. This fine grain material is an important aspect of the surface treatment process which helps to facilitate a high-performing final product once construction is complete. The ministry will continue to monitor Highway 588 to ensure it remains safe and reliable for the travelling public. For the latest information on highway closures and construction the public can call 511, MTO’s Road Information Line, or check www.511on.ca.
Question and Answers1. What work is being conducted in 2024?
The ministry will be applying surface treatment to Highway 588 from 10.6 km west of Highway 593 Jct. for 10.26 km and from 300 m west of Highway 595 Jct. for 8.6 km during the summer 2024 construction season.
2. Why is this work required?
Highway 588 is a surface treated road that has been affected by settlement, rutting, and heaving because of regular wear and tear. As a result, the ministry has determined that repairs are required to improve ride quality for all road users and correct the distresses in the existing pavement surface.
3. How did the ministry determine that this work is needed?
The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for approximately 1,500 kilometres of secondary surface treated highways across the North, Area West Region. Highway 588 is one of the highways in the region that is currently surface treated. The road condition of all surface-treated highways is evaluated in detail biennially, and those condition ratings are used to prioritize upcoming highway improvement programs. Surface treatment rehabilitation is typically completed on a five-year cycle. Regular highway surface rehabilitation is required to ensure that a safe driving surface is maintained for the travelling public.
4. What does this work involve?
The surface treatment application process may include pulverizing the existing highway surface, applying Granular A material to improve crossfall and drainage, applying a layer of asphalt emulsion, and the application of a cover aggregate. Fine grain material is typically present in the cover aggregate. This can result in the presence of dust during construction operations. This fine grain material is an important aspect of the surface treatment process which helps to facilitate a high-performing final product once construction is complete.
5. Surface treatment can create dusty conditions. What is the ministry doing to address this?
The ministry is aware that dust can be a concern for area residents during the surface treatment process. To address these concerns, the ministry will ensure that water or calcium dust suppressant is regularly applied, and, where possible, the ministry will ensure that the sections of Highway 588 under construction will be wet down to minimize dusty conditions. Please note that immediately prior to the application of asphalt emulsion, water, and calcium dust suppressant can no longer be applied to the highway surface as this can negatively impact the ability of the emulsifier to properly cure and result in a poorly performing final surface. In addition, once the emulsifier has been applied, the highway surface cannot be regularly wet down as the emulsifier must have the opportunity to fully dry to cure properly. The Ministry of Transportation appreciates that ongoing construction operations and resulting dust can be both inconvenient and frustrating for area residents. However, the ministry will be working diligently to mitigate dusty conditions while still ensuring that the final highway surface is high quality, resilient, and safe for the travelling public.
6. What is the ministry doing to ensure that the highway is safe for the travelling public in the meantime?
The Ministry of Transportation appreciates that ongoing construction operations and resulting dust can be both inconvenient and frustrating for area residents. However, the ministry will be working diligently to mitigate dusty conditions while still ensuring that the final highway surface is high quality, resilient, and safe for the travelling public. In addition, the ministry’s maintenance contractor will undertake regular maintenance of the area both prior to and following this work, closely monitoring the condition of the highway, and assisting in determining if any further work is required.
7. Why is the ministry removing a paved highway and replacing it with a surface treated highway?
Highway 588 is currently a surface treated road and is being resurfaced with the same type of treatment that is currently in place. Surface treatment results in a high-performing final product once construction is complete and can often be mistaken for a paved surface.
8. Why is the ministry reinstating surface treatment and not replacing the existing surface with asphalt?
The ministry is responsible for maintaining a large inventory of infrastructure, including highways and bridges. The surface type of the highway is based on a number of factors including traffic volume, truck volumes, and road use. Based on an analysis of the traffic volumes and road classification for Highway 588, surface treatment is the most appropriate highway surface for all road users at this time.
9. I did not see pulverizing taking place in my area. What does this mean?
Double Surface Treatment (DST) is carried out when the road surface is at the end of its service life. During the life cycle of the surface, the ministry will perform Single Surface Treatment (SST), which involves adding a layer of surface treatment to the existing surface and does not require pulverizing, the addition of granular material,
or other related improvements such as culvert replacements or ditching.
10. My vehicle has been damaged by driving through the construction area. What can I do?
The contractor retained by the ministry to complete this work is responsible for the management and maintenance of the roadway for the duration of the project. If your vehicle sustained damage during the project, such as a stone chip or cracked windshield from a flying stone, you may contact the contractor directly to file a claim at (807) 939-2533. Alternatively, you can submit a claim for a damaged vehicle
online by visiting https://www.ontario.ca/page/submit-claim-damaged-vehicle. Please note that local ministry staff do not review, deny, or approve claims. The claims process is independent of the local ministry and is between the claimant and the contractor, or the claimant and the ministry’s designated adjuster.
Submitting a claim for damage does not imply that an individual will necessarily receive compensation, but the claim will be thoroughly reviewed, and a response will be provided. The review process can take between two and four months to complete.