Council to spend extra $2.9M to fix potholes, resurface roads

Ottawa's city council added $2.5 million to its road-resurfacing budget at the end of its meeting Wednesday, in order to deal with a freeze-and-thaw season that's created a big jump in pothole complaints.

Mayor Jim Watson asked council to waive the usual rules of procedure in order to consider the motion add the funds.

In addition to the $2.5 millionfor road resurfacing, the city will also spend an additional $400,000for pothole repair.

Watson saidhe's heard from residents over the past couple of months about the state of the roads.

"There have been 70 freeze-thaw cycles, which have been brutal for people driving and cycling," he said.

Council approved the plan unanimously. The one-time injection of $2.5 million will come from the city's unforeseen fund.