Signs that mark “test” sites on Woodlands County roads recently discussed at G&P meeting

During a recent Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, Woodlands County Council discussed a
proposed policy regarding new-to-the-County products used to maintain roadways. In 2020, the
previous Council had asked that signage be installed where new products were being tested, allowing
residents to know what was happening and opening the door for feedback.
At the time, it wasn’t decided how long signage should remain for public awareness. Instead, once the
Administration decided whether or not the product was performing well or poorly, the signage was
removed. Earlier this year, the current Council asked that signage go back up and that a policy on new-
to-the-County products be drafted for their consideration.
The role of the Governance and Priorities Committee is to go through draft policies and make necessary
changes. The setting allows for open discussion and enables members to go into greater detail, helping
craft the final result. Once changes are made, the final draft is brought forward to a regular Council
meeting to vote on whether to implement it.
Andre Bachand, Director of Infrastructure Services for Woodlands County, presented the draft policy
and gave remarks on behalf of the Administration. He explained that the draft policy provided more
detail on how signage should be used, how long it should remain, how usefulness will be determined,
and the information to include on the signage. It also stated that the product supplier would be the one
to install and maintain signage and that if the signage became weathered or unsightly, it would be
removed.
However, Bachand felt that a Test Product Signage policy for new products would “sit on the books and
seldom be utilized.” He reasoned that the definition of “new” products was “random” given that an
employee at the County might’ve used a product elsewhere and that bringing it to the County might not
be thought of as “new.” An example he gave is that the products used in 2020 that sparked the
conversation of signage have been the only “new” products as of late. “We haven’t used anything since,”
he said. He recommended accepting the draft policy as information rather than moving forward with
implementation.
Councillor John Burrows said when the conversation was first brought forward in 2020, it was meant for
more than just new products being used. “If you use a product, and let’s say it’s soil cement. Soil cement
is supposed to last for five years. The signage (should) stay in place for a period of five years, or when
the product is supposed to give out or wear out or has to be replaced. (So) you can assess the usefulness
of it.”
He gave Horne Road as his example with the Geoweb used there. Burrows felt that signage should
remain up for the product’s lifespan, whether that’s twenty or thirty years so that the test site is
remembered. He said future road staff, like graders, might not realize where the product is and could
damage it. “Wouldn’t it be nice to not rip the webbing out of the ground and have to redo everything?”
Burrows further explained the new versus new-to-the-county difference. “It’s not so much the idea
around new; it’s to give residents an idea to evaluate the products and Council as well so you can see
how they are working out.” He said signage would give residents awareness of test areas so that they

can provide feedback on it. He added that recent products discovered at a trade show they attended
might see the policy used sooner rather than later.
Reeve Dave Kusch said he liked the idea of having the policy in place. He noted that though the products
used might not be new to some of the County’s operators, it would still be new to the area and
residents. “If we are testing a section and the product is good for a year or five years or whatever, then
we should have a sign in that area so we can determine for us driving down or for residents driving
down, that they know where that area is through the period of the lifespan of it. I do like the idea of
having a sign there.”
Councillor Bruce Prestidge also spoke in favour. “I think it shows to the residents that we’re trying new
things, and we’re letting them know that this is new and it’s a trial. When we just do something on the
road, and we don’t show anything, the residents don’t know (about it). But if there’s a sign there for two
or five years, then they know this is a test section and is it working or not working.”
Following the discussion, a motion was made by Councillor Burrows to forward the policy to Council for
adoption with certain amendments. The first amendment was to specify the length of time signs should
remain up. Reeve Kusch said he felt the signage should remain posted for the product’s life expectancy,
which would differ depending on the product. The second amendment was to have Woodlands County
handle the signs and not the product supplier, as brought up by Councillor Prestidge.
The Committee voted to move the policy forward to an upcoming Regular Meeting of Council, where
they will decide whether to vote it into place. The next scheduled meeting is on Wednesday, November

22. Streamed meetings are viewable on the Woodlands County YouTube page.