Inferior asphalt being used on Sudbury streets

Sudbury's auditor general says city streets may be crumbling because tax dollars are being spent on poor quality asphalt.

Greater Sudbury has bought millions of dollars worth of smoother roads in the past few years — with city and federal tax dollars. A total of $38 million is being spent on road work this year alone.

But a report by city auditor general Brian Bigger said some of those streets may need to be repaved again soon because the contractors hired by the city used poor quality asphalt.

The report said city staff doesn’t regularly test the asphalt contractors use, which has lead to cracking on a new section of Lasalle Boulevard.

Bigger also found that some contractors — including those who recently worked on Radar Road and Regent Street — are building roads that don't meet city specifications.

Sudbury city council will discuss the auditor's findings, along with his 13 recommendations — as well as his advice on how to manage the controversial councillor ward funds — at its meeting on Tuesday.