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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPUB-001-26Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: March 2, 2026 Report Number: PUB-001-26 Authored By: Slav Potrykus, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, Public Works Submitted By: Lee-Ann Reck, Deputy CAO, Public Services Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: Resolution Number: File Number: Report Subject: Social Awareness Crosswalk Maintenance Recommendations: 1.That Report PUB-001-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2.That Council support the recommendations contained in Report PUB-001-26 for the ongoing maintenance and replacement of crosswalks designed to promote social awareness; 3.That Council direct staff to include the ongoing maintenance financial requirements in future operating budget requests; 4.That Council direct staff, where future social awareness crosswalks are approved or implemented, the ongoing maintenance, renewal, and replacement costs associated with those crosswalks be identified and incorporated into future operating and capital budget submissions, as applicable; 5.That Council acknowledges enhanced crosswalk treatments require ongoing lifecycle funding to ensure safety, visibility, and program sustainability, 6.That future approvals be considered in alignment with available budget capacity, and; 7.That all interested parties listed in Report PUB-001-26, be advised of Council’s decision. GG-051-26 Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report PUB-001-26 Report Overview This report provides Council with an overview of the maintenance and resource implications associated with Social Awareness Crosswalks within the Municipality of Clarington as requested through report CAO-019-25, presented on November 3, 2025. While these crosswalks support community recognition and inclusion, they also function as regulated traffic control features and require enhanced cost and maintenance beyond the required standard pavement markings. With the expansion of the program, increasing costs and operational implications, this report outlines the implications of sustaining the program under current practices and identify the need for additional operating funding to ensure continued safety, visibility, and integrity. 1. Background Social Awareness crosswalks in Clarington 1.1 Provincial traffic pavement markings specifications, as outlined in the Ontario Traffic Manual series of books, do not specifically provide any details on the use of colours for pedestrian facilities or for social awareness crosswalks. Therefore, any of the non- standard colours and materials are considered custom and carry a significantly higher installation, maintenance, and replacement cost. Sourcing these materials has become increasingly challenging due to the dependence on materials sourced from the United States which may be subject to tariffs and price escalation. 1.2 Currently, Clarington has three social awareness crosswalks, which include: • Rainbow crosswalk at the south leg of Mearns Avenue and Apple Blossom Boulevard o Installed in May 2019 o Cost at time of installation was approximately $9,000 • Orange crosswalk at the south leg of Temperance Street and Church Street o Installed in September 2022 o Cost for the initial materials was $5,200, installed internally, as per the manufacturer instructions o Crosswalk material failed over the Winter and due to the construction activities at the old Canada Post building, and was removed and reinstalled with another type of material in July 2023 Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report PUB-001-26 o Cost of the removal, and reinstallation with different supplier was approximately $15,000 • Veteran crosswalk at the north leg of Temperance Street and King Street o Installed in September 2025 o Cost at the time of installation was approximately $28,000 o The crosswalk is already showing signs of wear and damage caused by winter operations. It will require attention as soon as practicable. 1.3 These social awareness crosswalks were installed across Clarington as a visible commitment to inclusion, equity, and representation. Their presence reflects the efforts of community members who mobilized for change, advocating for spaces that affirm identity and celebrate diversity. These crosswalks are symbols of belonging and respect and are visible reminders that reinforces that Clarington is a place where everyone can feel seen, valued, and safe. 2. Public Works Considerations Rainbow Crosswalk 2.1 The Rainbow crosswalk has experienced a high number of vandalism incidents, including tire marks from burnouts or from intentionally aggressive braking. This unfortunate behavior is in line with the experiences of many other road jurisdictions and their Rainbow crosswalks. The City of Burlington Council approved the removal of all their Rainbow crosswalks due to the ongoing vandalism and unsustainable maintenance costs. The recognition continues with the new Rainbow pole wrap program instead. 2.2 While initially there was enough pavement marking material to allow for pressure washing and removal of the tire marks, the crosswalk currently is showing significant deterioration and fading. The crosswalk has surpassed its life cycle, and a complete removal and replacement is required if the program is to continue in its current format. 2.3 Council recently approved Report CAO-019-25, which further detailed the current state of the Rainbow crosswalk. 2.4 As the crosswalk has reached its end-of-life cycle, it is required to be removed entirely and replaced with new material. The estimated removal cost at the current prices is approximately $10,000, and the installation cost is approximately $25,000. This cycle should be repeated every 4-6 years. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report PUB-001-26 Orange Crosswalk 2.5 As mentioned in Section 1.2, the Orange crosswalk has demonstrated a premature failure with the initial product and due to the overlapping construction activities at the time. Consideration should also be given to the original condition of the pavement that the crosswalk is applied to. Temperance Street asphalt surface is old and shows signs of pitting and oxidizing. Any future replacements of the Orange crosswalk may require a section of the asphalt to be removed and replaced, like the Veteran crosswalk that was installed just to the south. 2.6 The Orange crosswalk is currently in good condition. However, the maintenance or replacement cost for it may escalate, as the asphalt surface is not suitable for any subsequent direct reinstallations. Therefore, any future maintenance costs should include the cost of the crosswalk removal at approximately $10,000 and the installation at approximately $15,000 and the cost of the removal and installation of asphalt at approximately $15,000. After the asphalt is replaced, the subsequent crosswalk maintenance cost would only include the removal and installation of the Orange crosswalk every 4-6 years. Veteran Crosswalk 2.7 The Veteran Crosswalk was installed in time for the unveiling on September 30, 2025. A section of the road was required to be removed and replaced to allow for the detailed custom graphics to be applied. Due to the complexity of the graphics, any future repairs may require grinding a portion, or potentially the entire crosswalk graphic to maintain the crosswalk within acceptable appearance and condition. 2.8 Since the Veteran crosswalk is very new, and already includes new asphalt surface, it is anticipated that the recurring maintenance costs would be approximately $10,000 for the removal of the crosswalk, and approximately $35,000 for the reinstallation, every 2- 5 years. Standard Type Crosswalk 2.9 For comparison, a standard 3-metre-wide crosswalk with two white lines and a vehicle stop line is significantly less dependent on the pavement condition and can be applied on virtually any hard surface. It also has a longer life expectancy than any of the coloured pavement markings, typically 5-10 years or beyond. The cost is currently under $500 per crosswalk. Summary 2.10 Based on site inspections, staff findings, and market conditions, it is estimated that the total maintenance cost of the three social awareness crosswalks would be sustainable with a starting budget of $35,000 and an annual recurring budget of $20,000. Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report PUB-001-26 2.11 Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of existing infrastructure within budgetary provisions. Given the exponentially high costs of the social awareness crosswalks when compared to a standard crosswalk, Public Works would require an increase to existing operating budgets to maintain social awareness crosswalks. 3. Financial Considerations 3.1 Due to the disproportionally high capital and maintenance costs of any non-standard pavement markings, their financial needs are not being covered by the regular operating account. An initial financial investment of $35,000 to address the immediate replacement needs is required, with a $20,000 annual budget. 3.2 When approving additional social awareness crosswalks, an initial cost of approximately $35,000 and an annualized replacement cost of approximately $10,000 per crosswalk should be anticipated. If operating budgets are not increased, maintenance service levels cannot be sustained. 3.3 The Deputy CAO/Treasurer recommends that funds be included in future budgets, rather than funded as an in-year allocation. The budget process has already concluded, and these are resources which should be looked at in accordance with overall financial requests. 3.4 From an insurance standpoint, these installations are relatively new. While all three crosswalks include the required white edge-line elements outlined in the Ontario Traffic Manual – Pavement, Hazard and Delineation Markings (Book 11), the addition of a full- surface graphics and coloured treatments introduces uncertainty. Because these features fall outside standard crosswalk design, the potential insurance implications, should an incident occur in or near a non-standard crosswalk, remain unclear. 3.5 As identified in the Fall, there are alternatives that are more cost effective, providing the Municipality with the ability to reach more people with lower costs. Given financial restrictions and the desire to maintain lower operating budgets, the non-standard crosswalks are not as cost effective as other actions that the Municipality may undertake to meet the same outcome. 4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Considerations 4.1 It is the position of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, that these crosswalks speak to positive representation, active inclusion, and increased visibility for members of equity-deserving groups. As we continue to foster a sense of belonging in our community, the presence of these crosswalks speak to the strength of community mobilization around social issues. 4.2 The installation and maintenance of these social awareness crosswalks align with the Connect pillar in Clarington’s Strategic Plan which aims to cultivate a strong, thriving, and connected community where everyone is welcome. Municipality of Clarington Page 6 Report PUB-001-26 4.3 Given the involvement of the community in each of the three crosswalks, such as the initial fundraising plan to raise capital for the Rainbow crosswalk by the students of John M. James Public School, the commitment of the Veterans from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178 providing the design and support for the Veteran crosswalk, and by the involvement of Indigenous community members in the Orange crosswalk. The DEI team supports their maintenance in principle, while understanding that financial and operational realities must be considered as part of ongoing decision-making. 4.4 For future social awareness initiatives, the DEI team will continue collaborating with the community to explore actions, symbols, and approaches that are both meaningful and cost-effective. The positive reception of the Pride pole wrap concept (introduced as an alternative to installing an additional rainbow crosswalk), demonstrated how creative, lower-cost options can still offer strong visibility and impact with increased community reach. Building on this model, we will keep identifying thoughtful alternatives that meaningfully reflect and support our diverse community. 5. Strategic Plan The social awareness crosswalks align with C.3.1 – to recognize and celebrate the growing diversity of the community. 6. Climate Change Not Applicable. 7. Concurrence This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO/Treasurer and Director of Strategic Initiatives who concur with the recommendations. 8. Conclusion The Social Awareness Crosswalk Program reflects the Municipality’s ongoing commitment to community safety, inclusion, and recognition. As the number and prominence of these crosswalks increase, so too does the need for consistent, high- quality maintenance to preserve visibility, ensure compliance with applicable safety standards, and uphold the symbolic intent of each installation. Should Council decide to sustain the program over the long term, maintenance requirements must be formally integrated into existing operational practices and supported by adequate financial resources. An increase in the Public Works operating budget would be required to address the enhanced maintenance demands, mitigate risk, and ensure these assets remain safe, respectful, and meaningful for the community. Proactive investment would support program sustainability and the intent behind the program. Municipality of Clarington Page 7 Report PUB-001-26 Staff Contact: Slav Potrykus, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, 905-623-3379 extension 2315 or spotrykus@clarington.net. Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.