Lakefield group proposes water shuttle to help manage bridge construction impacts
A grassroots group of Lakefield merchants and residents is proposing a temporary water shuttle and land-based transit system to help maintain access between the two sides of the village during the planned rehabilitation of the Lakefield Bridges, scheduled for 2027.
The proposal, outlined in the Lakefield Water Link & Shuttle System: Detour Mitigation Plan, is intended to address concerns about traffic congestion, pedestrian access, school drop-offs, healthcare access, and the potential impact on local businesses while the bridges are under construction.
Construction on Lakefield’s bridges crossing the Otonabee River and Trent Canal is scheduled to begin in 2027. (Photo: Stacey Sullivan, Discover Lakefield)
The plan was submitted by Colleen Rioux, pharmacy manager at Lakefield IDA Pharmacy, and Lakefield resident Linda Eales on behalf of what they describe as a grassroots initiative organized by local merchants and residents.
The group says the current construction staging plan could result in a 21.9-kilometre driving detour around Lake Katchewanooka, adding significant travel time for people who regularly cross the bridges. It also anticipates traffic backups extending past Clementi Street, potentially affecting access to Lakefield District Public School and nearby childcare services.
The proposed Water Link would combine a passenger boat with land-based shuttles. A commercial passenger pontoon would make the approximately three-minute crossing between Isabel Morris Park and Lakefield Marina on the west side of the river and the Kingdon Lumber shoreline on the east side.
Land shuttles would then connect passengers with key destinations on both sides of the village, including downtown businesses and healthcare facilities. On the east side, a shuttle would connect the dock with Lakefield District Public School and the Clementi Street neighbourhood.
The proposal calls for the service to operate continuously in both directions every 15 minutes during peak hours, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Accessibility is also included, with wheelchair-accessible ramps and shuttle vehicles proposed for seniors, people using mobility devices and families with strollers.
The group points to temporary water shuttle systems used during the Kingston LaSalle Causeway closure and bridge-related work in Bobcaygeon as examples of similar approaches being used elsewhere. The plan says these systems helped maintain pedestrian access to healthcare, downtown businesses, and other services.
The proposal also highlights concerns about the impact of traffic detours on healthcare and essential services. The group says reducing everyday vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the bridge could help keep roadway space available for ambulances, fire trucks, and medical transportation, while also supporting home-care visits and access to local healthcare providers.
For schools, the group is particularly concerned about traffic backups and pedestrian safety during construction. The proposal says a water shuttle could provide an alternative route for students travelling between the west side of the village and Lakefield District Public School without requiring them to pass through an active construction area.
The proposed funding and partnership model would place Peterborough County and project engineers D.M. Wills in the lead, with the County responsible for including and funding the shuttle as part of the construction tender. The plan also identifies Selwyn Township, Parks Canada, local businesses, and community organizations as potential partners.
The group is asking Peterborough County to include pedestrian and marine shuttle operations in the construction tender before contractor bidding is finalized. According to the proposal, doing so would establish a mitigation plan for public safety, emergency access, school transportation and local businesses before construction begins.
More information on the Lakefield Bridges Rehabilitation project can be found on the County of Peterborough’s website. There is also an option to submit comments and questions, and to sign up for project updates: https://engage.ptbocounty.ca/rehabilitation-lakefield-bridges
Click here to read the proposed Lakefield Water Link & Shuttle System: Detour Mitigation Plan.