Cost to resurface Ira Needles Boulevard estimated at $4.5M

Ira Needles Blvd. in Waterloo, Ont. on May 5, 2026. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)

A busy and pothole-plagued stretch of road needs a facelift – but it could be costly.

Staff for the Region of Waterloo have recommended the resurfacing of Ira Needles Boulevard between Yellow Birch and Westhill Drive, several years ahead of schedule.

In a new report, they say, “deterioration in the original lanes has progressed faster than expected,” and “the road condition has worsened to the point where temporary repairs are no longer effective.”

One concern is the seam between the original and widened lanes. The recent freeze-thaw cycle has also taken a toll on the asphalt.

“The proposed resurfacing work on Ira Needles Boulevard will help maintain a reliable transportation network for residents of Waterloo Region,” Colleen James, chair of the Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development committee, explained in an email to CTV News. “Ira Needles Boulevard is a key regional corridor, which has deteriorated faster than anticipated, and addressing this now will help preserve the roadway. It will also extend its service life, and reduce the risk of more costly repairs later, supporting the region’s larger asset management plan. Our priority is to keep our corridor safe and dependable for the people who use it every day.”

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According to staff, patching is no longer an option. Instead, they recommended a “more extensive” treatment which included the removal and replacement of the asphalt’s surface.

That work was originally supposed to happen in the 2030s, but staff said an immediate solution was needed due to the deteriorating road conditions.

The repair cost is estimated at $4.5 million, which staff say will come from the Transportation Capital Reserve, which is not included in the region’s 2026 Capital Budget.

The report will be presented at the region’s Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development committee on Tuesday. Even if the recommendations get approval, council will still need to vote in favor of the project before construction can begin.

More to come.