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Shrinking aggregate supply is affecting infrastructure costs: study

A new report examines the benefits associated with close-to-market aggregate production and the economic and environmental impacts of longer haul distances such as increased costs for construction, burning more fossil fuels and generating higher emissions.

The report, The Long Haul: Examining the implications of far-from-market aggregates, released in July, was commissioned by the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA) and prepared by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). At a very high level the study found that currently close-to-market sites are on average about 35 kilometres from wherever the market development areas are, and what the implications for certain infrastructure projects are.

From an environmental perspective, approximately 89,000 metric tonnes of GHG emissions would be produced because of the additional haul distance. The team also examined what that looks like from a carbon price perspective.

(Daily Commercial News)