Item - 2022.IE29.11

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to include, as part of the fees review, the requirement for a system that provides information and documentation, including photos, of ongoing and completed projects that is accessible to the general public and report to Infrastructure and Environment committee the third quarter of 2023.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to consult with the Executive Steering Committee of the Toronto Public Utilities Coordinating Committee on steps to improve the process of ensuring that temporary repairs for telecommunication equipment on public and private property are done in a timely manner and that there is a clear escalation process for customer complaints and report to Infrastructure and Environment committee the third quarter of 2023.

3. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in coordination with the Chief Technology Officer, to consider creating a public page on City of Toronto website where Councillors' Offices, 311 Toronto and residents of Toronto may submit photos of poorly-done or incomplete work by utility companies, and to report back in the new term of City Council.

The Transportation Services Division is responsible for maintaining City roads and sidewalks in an acceptable condition for the safe use and enjoyment by all users. In addition to ongoing state of good repair work the City also has to contend with cuts into roads and sidewalks made by utility companies.  Utility companies provide vital services to residents and businesses across the City including water, natural gas, electricity and telecommunications and it is important for both the City and utility companies to work together collaboratively to serve the public. Utility company's infrastructure networks are located either above or below the City's public right of way and when required to perform repairs and/or upgrades to their infrastructure are often need to cut into the roads and/or sidewalks to access their infrastructure. 

A "utility cut" occurs when it becomes necessary to excavate a portion of public right of way in order to provide access to underground utilities, such as watermains, power lines, and telecommunications infrastructure. Reasons for needing to access above or underground infrastructure can include performing routine maintenance, installing new infrastructure, upgrades, additions, and/or alterations to utility infrastructure.

Annually, Transportation Services issues 35,000 cut permits to utility companies. Utility cuts can be disruptive to the public in a number of ways including dust and noise from construction, impacts to sod, and uneven pavements.  The improper restoration of utility cuts can also accelerate the deterioration of City roads and sidewalks.  Therefore, it is important for the City to manage the utility cut process to protect City infrastructure and to provide good customer service.

This report addresses two Council approved members motions and aims to provide an update on the status of utility cut program including recent process improvements, challenges and next steps for the program.  The report will also identify the current fees charged to utilities and will provide an update on the status of a staffing and fee update.