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TORONTO — Three construction associations are calling for immediate action when it comes to standardizing roadbuilding specifications and procurement practices at the municipal level in order to help alleviate the impact of rising costs due to tariffs.

The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA), the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), and the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT) members build more than 75 per cent of the total capital infrastructure construction portfolio across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) each year.

While provincial standards exist for contracts, municipalities have discretion in their implementation and as a result have varying requirements for how to build and procure similar use projects, like roads, bridges, sewers and watermains, states a release.

Because of this, the associations are “sounding the alarm” about the transportation and infrastructure projects that will be put at risk because of rising costs and economic uncertainty.

“This is a pivotal moment for infrastructure development in Ontario,” said Patrick McManus, executive director of the GTSWCA, in a statement. “By standardizing construction specifications and contracts, we will reign in rising construction costs and lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and cost-effective infrastructure solutions without fundamentally altering how we design, build, finance, or maintain our critical core infrastructure in the region.”

The associations are making the following recommendations for the province as it consults with municipalities: 

• Implementing uniform technical standards for road construction throughout Ontario to ensure consistency;
• streamlining and standardizing procurement processes to shorten tender timelines;
• providing clearer guidelines and timelines for permitting processes, reducing uncertainty and delays in project approval; and
• establishing a common framework and approach for reimbursement for cost increases caused by new tariffs to limit project disruption.

“There are more than 300 different asphalt mix designs in the GTA alone, with each municipality having different requirements on how a road ought to be paved,” added Raly Chakarova, executive director at TARBA. “We’re talking about breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, but just as important is harmonizing practices across municipal boundaries, especially in an economically significant region like the GTA. This is a real solution that will bring in faster construction timelines and create significant cost savings for taxpayers, particularly through initiatives such as the standardized and enhanced use of .”

It’s about reducing red tape while protecting Ontario builders, stated Peter Smith, executive director at HCAT.

“This is the time for the provincial and federal governments to step in and ensure that municipalities have predictable and continuous infrastructure funding to get projects out the door, shovels in the ground, and keep everyone employed,” he said. “But municipalities need to drop their own barriers. There is no reason that a different asphalt type or watermain fitting needs to be used simply because a project crosses over Steeles Avenue.”