Lakefield Herald Special Report

County taking a long range view of the causeway

by Simon Conolly

Peterborough County is taking a long-term look at reconstruction of the James Gifford Causeway in Chemong Lake, County Public Works Director Chris Bradley told The Herald last week.

Normally the County works in a 20-year planning window when considering future roads needs, but that has been extended to 50 years for the causeway project.

Conservatively, Mr. Bradley said, just making the necessary repairs to the existing causeway would cost at least $3 million.

And with the work expected to have a lifespan of 75 years, it only makes sense to make every effort to ensure that what is done now will be adaptable to future needs.

The draft study produced by Bytown Engineering for the Environmental Assessment includes four options, the most ambitious of which would see the causeway widened to accommodate four lanes of traffic plus a bicycle lane.

The existing two-lane bridge at the eastern end of the causeway would have to be twinned.

Mr. Bradley said there’s no need for a project of that scope at present, but work that is done in the near future should keep in view what might be needed some years further on.

Overall, the project could be staged, with the base widened long before four traffic lanes were created.

The gabion baskets which reinforce the sides of the present causeway will need attention in the short term.

Some have failed, others are sinking into the silt on the lake bed, still others are rolling outwards, resulting in longitudinal cracks in the paved roadway.

A Public Information Centre will be scheduled this spring to explain the project in more detail.

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