ASPHALTopics | Fall 2015 | VOL 28 | NO 3

Since the introduction of asphalt
paving to Toronto streets in the
late nineteenth century, the asphalt
industry has experienced exponential
growth and continues to be crucial
in shaping the social and cultural
fabric of the province, as well as
its economic prosperity. Several
advances in the last century have
led to significant milestones that are
worthy of celebration, including new
technologies, better specifications,
innovations that promote environmental
sustainability and best
practices for improved efficiency.
proven material that is versatile, cost-effective,
safe and long-lasting, asphalt pavements make
up 95 per cent of Ontario’s roads. Ongoing
research will foster the development of new
leading edge materials, equipment and
processes – innovations that will further enhance the
quality of Ontario’s roadways and improve driver
mobility for generations to come.
Historically, the creation of roads in Upper Canada
was important to early settlers, but received little
attention by government who injected time and
money in the development of waterways, and then
railways, as transportation systems that would best
serve the fur and timber markets. In his book, Keep
Ontario Moving: The History of Roads and Road Building
in Ontario, Robert Bradford details the ingenuity and trial
and error efforts of early settlers to cut a swath through
Ontario’s wilderness. Motley crews of settlers, convicts
and sometimes military personnel patched together roads
to support local traffic. However, with no government
bodies to take responsibility for the construction and
maintenance of roadways, the routes often fell to ruin,
or were impassable certain times of the year. ››