STREETS / Montréal, Toronto and Burlington
Comparison of the structure of a typical local street
Based on official standards and comparative studies:
- MTQ for Quebec
- MTO for Ontario
- VTrans for Vermont
1. Montréal (Quebec) / typical local street
- Bituminous concrete (total asphalt): about 7.5 cm.
- Granular foundation (often MG-20): 15 to 20 cm.
- Subfoundation (often MG-112 or equivalent): 30 cm.
2. Toronto (Ontario) / typical local street
- Bituminous concrete (total asphalt): 9 cm. This is slightly more generous than in Montréal.
- Granular foundation (Granular A): 15 to 20 cm.
- Subfoundation (Granular B): 30 cm.
Ontario and Quebec are very similar here. Costs are optimized, with a relatively thin foundation and a good sub-base for drainage.
3. Vermont (Burlington and surroundings)
- Bituminous concrete (total asphalt): 10 cm.
- Granular foundation (base course): 50 cm.
This is the big difference. Vermont builds a deep granular base from the start to better withstand freeze-thaw cycles.
- Subfoundation (sand cushion anti-frost): about 30 cm. Comparable to the other two regions.
Why are Vermont's roads more durable?
The thick foundation (50 cm) better absorbs movements caused by freezing and thawing, even if the asphalt isn't much thicker.
SIZE (of the granular foundation) MATTERS!