Peterborough County completes Lakefield Transportation Master Plan, recommends protecting corridor for future river crossing
Peterborough County has completed the Lakefield Transportation Master Plan (TMP), a long-term study examining transportation needs in the Lakefield area and identifying potential infrastructure improvements to support anticipated growth through 2051.
A key recommendation is to protect a corridor for a potential second crossing of the Otonabee River, creating a future connection between County Road 29 on the west side of the river and County Road 33 on the east side.
The recommendation does not mean a new bridge is approved or scheduled for construction. Instead, corridor protection would help preserve the option for a future crossing as Lakefield and the surrounding area continue to grow.
The study evaluated several possible locations for a new crossing and identified a route generally following the existing 7th Line corridor as the preferred alternative.
Screenshot from Lakefield TMP - Notice of Master Plan Document showing the corridor protection area.
The recommendation includes protecting a 36-metre-wide right-of-way along 7th Line, along with additional areas near the proposed river crossing and on the east side of the Otonabee River. The eastern protection area extends between County Road 32 and east of Concession Street to allow for future road connections.
The conceptual design includes a two-lane bridge, with a sidewalk on one side and a multi-use path on the other.
The estimated construction cost for the bridge and roadway work is just under $21 million in 2025 dollars. However, no capital budget has been allocated to the proposed crossing, and a construction timeline has not been established.
The plan identifies 2051 as a long-term planning horizon, with the need and timing for a second crossing to be reconsidered through future updates to the Transportation Master Plan.
While a second river crossing remains a long-term possibility, the study also identifies improvements to support traffic associated with development in the Lakefield South area.
Recommendations include:
Considering a separated sidewalk or multi-use path along 7th Line.
Extending the existing sidewalk along the south side of County Road 29 west to County Road 18.
Installing traffic signals at County Road 29 and Water Tower Road.
Installing traffic signals and turn lanes at County Road 29 and 7th Line.
Reconstructing 7th Line between County Road 29 and the entrance to the Lakefield South development.
The study indicates that these interim improvements could be implemented by or before 2041, depending on development progress. Some work, including the reconstruction of 7th Line, is already planned in connection with the development.
The County's study found that traffic growth could create capacity and intersection performance issues by 2051 if additional improvements are not made. The existing crossing is an important link in the local road network, and congestion at key intersections could affect traffic moving through Lakefield.
The next steps include incorporating the recommended corridor protection into the relevant Official Plans, continuing consultation, and undertaking further environmental assessments, technical investigations and preliminary design work.
Additional work would be needed to confirm the final alignment, property requirements, potential impacts, mitigation measures, costs, and timing before any decision to proceed with construction.
The study also identifies environmental and cultural considerations that require further investigation, including wetlands, wildlife, aquatic habitat, and potential archaeological resources. Feedback received during public consultation included support for exploring a second crossing, alongside concerns about its location, impacts on properties, the environment, and the community.
The proposal remains a long-term option rather than a funded construction project, while several road and pedestrian improvements are being considered to address growth-related traffic needs in the meantime.
To read more about the Lakefield Transportation Master Plan, visit the County of Peterborough’s website here: https://engage.ptbocounty.ca/lakefield-network-study
Click here to view the Lakefield TMP - Notice of Master Plan document.
Note: The proposed second river crossing outlined in this Transportation Master Plan is separate from the bridge rehabilitation project planned for Lakefield in 2027. The 2027 project involves work on the existing bridges, while the second crossing remains a long-term proposal with no construction date or funding allocated.