National Public Works Week

One of their many responsibilities is identifying and repairing potholes in Richmond Hill local roads. In 2019, the team repaired over 1000 of them.

In 2020, Road Maintenance staff piloted new artificial intelligence technology (called ROVER) to enhance the inspection of road infrastructure. The ROVER technology, housed in a windshield-mounted smartphone camera (pictured at right), uploads photos and details about potholes such as location and severity.

With this technology, staff can identify potholes more easily, which keeps Richmond Hill roads safer through faster repairs.  

Richmond Hill received a Founding Member award from Visual Defence Inc., the creator of ROVER technology, recognizing its leadership, innovation and collaboration in using artificial intelligence to help keep roads safer.

“Working in Roads Maintenance, we have pride in the work we do to keep the roads and sidewalks in great condition for the community."   - Len Giacalone, Roads Operator III

Ontario Good Roads Association Award

Richmond Hill was honoured to win an Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) 2020 John Niedra Better Practices Competition award for our innovative use of artificial intelligence to find and analyze potholes! The awards “showcase the ingenuity of municipal employees and recognize innovations and achievements that improve the efficiency of our municipal transportations through public works, services and operations.”  Our joint submission with Visual Defence and the City of Markham highlights our success with automatic pothole detection.

Throughout the summer, members of the City’s splash pad crew visit the pads at least once a day to inspect the water-play areas, making sure they are clean and free of sharp objects, and perform any maintenance required.

Our larger splash pads at Lake Wilcox and Rouge Crest use a complex water recirculation system to conserve water. These splash pads include a three-part filtration system using chlorine, UV and sand filters that must be carefully monitored and maintained throughout the day by certified pool operators. They clean out filters, test the water every two hours and watch for factors, such as sunscreen and heavy rains, that can affect the water’s chemical balance. Staff ensure that all our splash pads meet York Region and provincial health and safety standards.

Also as part of our water conservation efforts, some of our smaller splash pads collect runoff, which staff then use to water the turf on our sports fields!

“Our team takes a lot of pride in the work we do. The joy on the kids’ faces is why we are committed to keeping the water safe, healthy and flowing.”   - Matthew Lucchetta, Lead Hand, Splash Pads and Playgrounds 

The Urban Forestry team takes care of the trees on City property including along streets, in parks and open spaces. The annual tree care program consists of planting, pruning, removals, stumping, insect control, storm damage and more. The team also responds to more than 2,000 requests for maintenance on municipal trees each year. You can report a public tree that needs attention through our Access Richmond Hill portal.

In 2021 and 2022, the Urban Forestry team also managed a re-emergence of spongy moth, an insect that feeds on the leaves of trees. Long-term effects can be reduced or prevented through management techniques, such as removing egg masses from street and park trees.

Did you know? Richmond Hill staff and contractors plant roughly 1,500 trees on public property every year! These efforts contributed to Richmond Hill being named a Tree City of the World, an international recognition for our leadership in maintaining and growing our urban forest.

Richmond Hill’s water distribution network consists of 630 km of watermains, pipes and valves that bring clean water into homes and businesses. Our drinking water staff are certified by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and take considerable care in providing a safe and reliable supply of drinking water for everyone in our community.

Richmond Hill Certified operators perform daily tests and obtain microbiological samples for analysis five days a week to ensure our water is safe for human consumption and meets all water quality standards. In 2021, they performed more than 4,300 tests and samples on our water supply.

In addition to water sampling and testing, certified operators, perform a variety of maintenance activities on watermains to keep them functioning. 

“As a Water Wastewater Operator for the City of Richmond Hill, making sure our community has access to safe drinking water is my top priority. I am proud that everyone in Richmond Hill can rely on the water team.”         

- Rob Goring, Water Wastewater Operator I

Our winter maintenance staff are constantly monitoring weather and road conditions. So when there is the chance of icy conditions or snowfall in Richmond Hill, our road plow operators are ready for it. Day or night – they are the ones going out at all hours in bad weather to help make city streets safe for the rest of us to travel.

Snow plowing operations are initiated once 5+cm of snow has accumulated. Plow operators aim to clear Richmond Hill’s 1,100 lane km of roads within 16 hours and wide bends, dead ends and cul-de-sacs within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Times may vary due to snowfall amounts, length of storm, time of day etc.

Plow operators plot strategic and efficient routes through the city clearing primary roads first, followed by secondary roads. These routes also keep them hugging the right curb, as plows can’t turn left while clearing snow or they would leave a windrow of snow across intersections. That’s why they often clear sides of the same road at different times.

Regional roads such as Major Mackenzie Drive and Leslie Street are cleared by York Region plows. 

When snow clearing is complete, Operations staff will continue monitoring for areas that need attention.

“There’s a sense of accomplishment when we’re done clearing the roads after a snow storm. Everyone is tired but we know we’ve made a difference and the community can travel safely.”  Anthony Guarrasi, Operator 1 – Roads

Richmond Hill winters come with a lot of snow and cold, but that doesn’t stop our sidewalk operations team from getting out in the less than desirable weather when it hits. They provide a critical service in keeping our community safe and mobile during the winter months and are always ready to contend with long hours and harsh winter weather.

Working as a team together with the roads operations crews, they ensure our 800+ km of sidewalks and select multi-use pathways are clear of ice and snow, so that everyone can get to where they need to, safely.  

Through significant training, the sidewalk operations team has the skill and knowledge required to operate the City’s 31 sidewalk plows, aiming to de-ice and/or carefully clear sidewalks and multi-use pathways within 14 hours of a snowfall. Staff clear snow and apply a mixture of sand/salt to promote traction and reduce ice and snow buildup. Factors such as freezing and thawing of ice and snow, as well as blowing snow create challenges often requiring multiple passes. And the job doesn’t end there – once the snow is cleared, sidewalk operations staff continuously perform routine ice spot checks and apply salt when required. 

“As a sidewalk plow operator, I am proud to be part of a huge team effort in keeping our sidewalks safe so that everyone in our community can continue to use them during the winter.” Robert Bowden, Sidewalk Plow Operator