The County of Peterborough is hosting its second Public Information Centre (PIC) for the Lakefield Transportation Master Plan (TMP) later this month.
Peterborough County is currently looking to complete two major projects that would help improve the flow of traffic to and from the Village of Lakefield. One is a short term bridge rehabilitation plan to improve the structural integrity of the river crossing in the Village set to be completed in 2027.
The second is a longer term Lakefield Transportation Master Plan aimed at finding an opportunity for improved traffic crossing of the Otonabee River as the future growth projected for Lakefield is significant. This project is not expected to start construction until around 2050.
The PIC the county is hosting on May 27 will focus on the longer term plans for road systems within the Village, including the potential second bridge crossing.
Doug Saccoccia told the Herald that this study is focused on identifying current and future transportation needs, assessing existing road network conditions, and determining potential improvements to accommodate growth in the Lakefield Area. As part of this work, the study is also examining options for a potential second crossing of the Otonabee River, including evaluating possible corridors and alignments at a preliminary, long-term planning level.
Saccoccia said, “This work is being undertaken to ensure the transportation network can safely, efficiently, and sustainably support future growth and travel demands in the Lakefield Area.
There was cause for celebration last Wednesday as the The Comfort Centre at the Lakefield United Church (47 Regent Street, Lakefield) was officially opened with a ribbon cutting and reception. The Comfort Centre is a safe, warm place where people can go during extended power outages. The idea was conceived shortly after the ice storm of 2025 where the village and surrounding area were without power for an extended period of time. The fundraising goal for this project was $75,000 with the goal of purchasing a generator for standby power, heat pumps for cooling, charging stations, and wifi. The fundraising goal was reached in record time. Pictured above cutting the ribbon are Lori Neill, Kate Ramsay, and Dave Garrett.
Those traveling certain parts of County Road 6 in Douro Dummer next year will have to find alternative routes as Gilchrist Park Bridge is set for replacement. County Council has approved a full road closure for this work, where only emergency services and local traffic will be able to by-pass the 40 km detour.
Last week, during the County Council meeting held on May 6, Doug Saccoccia presented a report outlining options for the replacement of Gilchrist Park Bridge. In his report he stated that based on their inspections, it was recommended that Gilchrist Park Bridge be replaced rather than spot repaired or rehabilitated.
According to DM Wills, who was contracted to complete the study and design work, the existing Gilchrist Park Bridge is a single-span (15.2 m) cast-in-place reinforced concrete rigid frame constructed in 1955, making it 71 years old at the time of this report. The bridge is currently in fair condition but has reached the end of its design life, with significant bottom-up deck deterioration observed during inspections. The current Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) is approximately 1,250 vehicles per day.
DM Wills and the County of Peterborough developed four options for the replacement of the bridge.
Douro Dummer hosted its first open forum in regards to their Building, Planning & Economic Development Service Review last week.
Earlier this year, the township entered into this review which is being executed by Triton Engineering.
According to a report, the township requested a service delivery review of its current Building, By-law and Planning Services, and an assessment of whether an economic development service might be considered in the future. The project will deliver a quantifiable and forward-looking strategy for its building, by-law, planning and economic development services by reviewing current services levels and delivery methods, evaluating internal processes and budget allocations, and assessing legislative obligations.
The open forum was part of stage two, of a four stage process.
During the forum, Bill White of Triton Engineering gave a presentation to the audience on the project.
This short documentary is a portrait of a tiny town, Lakefield, Ontario, and its independent weekly, the Herald. Across North America, newspapers are dying, but in Lakefield, Terry McQuitty, the town paper’s publisher, carries on a rich, 150-year-old tradition. Set to the pace of small-town life, Unheralded is a testament to the vital role newspapers can still play, and the close bond between reporter and reader.
