Dear Municipal & Private Partners,
Re: Spalling on 2022-2025 Projects
The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA), the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), and the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT) represent hundreds of civil construction companies building critical public and private infrastructure projects across the Greater Toronto Area, including roads, transit, curbs and sidewalks, highways, bridges, tunnels, water, sewer, and stormwater.
This year, there has been a significant increase in reported concrete spalling on municipal and private flatwork, curb, and bridge projects completed between 2022 and 2025. Spalling issues have been reported by multiple contractors, using various ready-mix suppliers, on projects in nearly all GTA municipalities.
Based on the shared information, this is not an isolated issue affecting a single project, municipality, supplier, or contractor. Rather, it appears to be an industry-wide concern that warrants a further in-depth investigation and collaborative approach. Accordingly, our three associations are actively engaging with our members, industry partners, public and private owners, engineers, and material suppliers to better understand the extent of the issue and identify contributing factors.
We encourage public and private owners to evaluate instances of concrete spalling within the context of this broader industry-wide trend, rather than treating them as issues unique to individual contracts or contractors. A collaborative, evidence-based approach will be the most effective way to develop appropriate responses, both to address deficiencies fairly and to ensure long-term performance and durability.
TARBA, GTSWCA, and HCAT are committed to working alongside our municipal and industry partners to support this effort. As more information becomes available through ongoing discussions and technical review, we look forward to sharing findings and participating in any collaborative initiatives aimed at delivering high-quality infrastructure. Should your staff wish to participate or discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.