Should Main Street Become a County Road? Hawkesbury Proposes a Transfer to Prescott-Russell

One of Hawkesbury’s most important roads could eventually become the responsibility of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR).

At the May 12, 2025 Town Council meeting, a report from Hawkesbury’s Public Works and Engineering Department outlined the case for transferring Main Street from the Town to the Counties’ road network.

The proposal could reduce Hawkesbury’s long-term responsibility for road maintenance and major infrastructure costs while addressing what the report describes as an issue of fairness: Hawkesbury is currently the only municipality within the UCPR without a County road in its jurisdiction.

Why Transfer Main Street?

Main Street is much more than a local residential street.

The 3.3-kilometre corridor serves as Hawkesbury’s main artery and connects several important regional transportation routes, including County Road 4, County Road 17, Highway 34 and the Long Sault interprovincial bridge. Highway 34 also provides access to Highway 417.

According to the municipal report, Main Street meets the definition of a major collector road under the UCPR Official Plan because of its role connecting communities and the broader provincial transportation network.

This regional function is one of the main arguments for making it part of the County road system.

“Main Street doesn’t only serve Hawkesbury. It connects our community to County roads, provincial highways and the bridge to Quebec. It makes sense to have a serious discussion about whether responsibility for such an important regional corridor should be shared at the regional level.” — Simon Guindon

Potential Savings for Hawkesbury

The financial implications are another major part of the proposal.

According to the report, Main Street currently has estimated annual maintenance costs of between $15,000 and $20,000. Line painting is estimated at approximately $1,500, while eventually replacing the asphalt could cost approximately $2 million, with new pavement having an estimated lifespan of about 20 years.

The transfer would also include the Louis P. Cécile Bridge.

The report states that its $2.5-million rehabilitation was expected to be completed in 2025, reducing the short-term financial burden that the Counties would inherit through a transfer. The bridge has an estimated lifespan of approximately 30 years, with annual inspections costing about $500.

Four traffic signals and two pedestrian crossings would also be transferred. The annual maintenance and inspection cost for the four traffic signals is estimated at approximately $5,000.

For the UCPR, the report argues that taking on Main Street would have a relatively small impact. At 3.3 kilometres, the road would represent less than 1% of the Counties’ road network.

“When we look at municipal finances, we should always ask whether taxpayers are getting fair value. If Hawkesbury contributes significantly to the Counties while having no County road within the Town, it is reasonable to examine whether Main Street should become part of that regional network.” — Simon Guindon

Hawkesbury Is Currently an Exception

The report highlights another argument in favour of the transfer: equity between municipalities.

According to the Town, Hawkesbury is the only municipality within the United Counties without a County road in its jurisdiction, despite making financial contributions to the regional government.

Town staff argue that transferring Main Street would help address that disparity and provide Hawkesbury with treatment more comparable to other municipalities.

The proposal is therefore about more than transferring maintenance expenses. It also raises a broader question about how regional infrastructure responsibilities are distributed across Prescott-Russell.

There Would Still Be Local Responsibilities

A transfer would not eliminate Hawkesbury’s involvement with Main Street.

The report identifies several areas where coordination between the Town and the Counties would still be necessary.

Road closures currently occur approximately four to six times per year, particularly for major community events such as the Multicultural Festival, Halloween activities, the Auto Show and the Christmas Parade.

The Town and Counties would also need to coordinate future road design and winter maintenance. Under the scenario outlined in the report, Hawkesbury would remain responsible for areas such as sidewalks, shoulders and parking, while the UCPR would handle the roadway itself.

“A transfer should not mean losing our ability to make Main Street work for our community. If this moves forward, clear responsibilities and strong coordination will be essential, especially for snow removal, downtown events and future improvements.” — Simon Guindon

What You Need to Know

• Hawkesbury is proposing to transfer 3.3 kilometres of Main Street to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.
• Main Street connects County Roads 4 and 17, Highway 34 and the Long Sault interprovincial bridge.
• Annual road maintenance is estimated at $15,000 to $20,000, while future asphalt replacement is estimated at approximately $2 million.
• The transfer would include the Louis P. Cécile Bridge, four traffic signals and two pedestrian crossings.
• Hawkesbury would still need to coordinate with the Counties on snow removal, road closures, events and future road design.

A Regional Road With a Local Impact

The Town’s report concludes that transferring Main Street would benefit Hawkesbury through better integration with the regional road network and more equitable treatment within the UCPR.

However, Main Street remains at the heart of Hawkesbury. Any change in responsibility must therefore consider not only financial savings, but also how the street functions for residents, downtown businesses and community events.

The proposal presents an opportunity to reduce some long-term infrastructure responsibilities while maintaining a clear local voice in decisions affecting Hawkesbury’s main artery.