Peterborough County and Selwyn Township are advising local businesses of two significant transportation projects that will affect the village of Lakefield and surrounding area — one in 2027 and one in the years to come.
In 2027, Peterborough County is planning rehabilitation work on the bridge on County Road 29 (Bridge Street) that crosses the Trent Canal and the Otonabee River.
“This project is essential to keep the bridge safe and functional for years to come,” reads an email sent to Lakefield businesses from Breanna Guiotto, Selwyn Township’s acting economic development coordinator.
According to a five-year forecast for the county’s 2026 capital works projects, the total cost for the bridge rehabilitation project is estimated at $2.725 million, including $1.5 million for the portion of the bridge that crosses the Otonabee River and $1.225 million for the portion of the bridge that crosses the Trent Canal.
As the bridge is the only crossing over the Otonabee River in the Lakefield area, Selwyn Township says the rehabilitation project could bring challenges for nearby businesses, including changes in traffic flow or detour routes, changes to delivery access, and shifts in customer or employee travel patterns.
“That’s why Peterborough County Economic Development and Selwyn Township are committed to early communication and collaboration with the business community,” Guiotto’s email reads. “A meeting with local businesses will be scheduled in the first half of 2026 to review project plans, share timelines, and discuss ways to minimize disruption.”
The township is also exploring options to support local businesses during the bridge rehabilitation project, including clear signage and maps showing businesses remain open, joint marketing and “shop local” promotions using the Driftscape app in collaboration with Peterborough County, and regular updates on detours, timelines, and access routes.
Another option includes a community event or grand re-opening celebration once the bridge work is complete.
The potential impacts of closing the only river crossing in the Lakefield area is one of the reasons why Peterborough County is undertaking a long-term planning study to understand how the current transportation system meets the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors and to identify infrastructure gaps and outline improvements to support future growth in the Lakefield community.
A 2022 update to the county’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) for the Lakefield area road network recommended the study identify a location for a new two-lane arterial road and bridge crossing the Otonabee River.
The study is meant to guide future decisions over the next 25 years, with no immediate construction or physical changes planned.
According to a public information centre held Lakefield-Smith Community Centre on October 28 to introduce the study to the community, the County Road 29 bridge crossing of the Otonabee River will be operating over capacity by 2051 based on planned growth in Lakefield and the surrounding area.
One of the initial options being considered is widening the existing County Road 29 (Bridge Street) structure to four lanes, although the 2022 TMP update did not recommend it as a preferred option because of technical and economic impacts, although it was the preferred option in terms of environmental impact.
Other initial options include constructing a new bridge (and potential new road alignment) at County Roads 32/33, constructing a new bridge between 7th Line and County Road 32, constructing a new bridge between 6th Line and County Road 32, and constructing a new bridge (and new road alignment) between County Road 29 (Lakefield Road) and Centre Road.
Before the end of the year, Peterborough County intends to complete technical and environmental reviews, confirm recommended crossing locations, and identify and evaluate conceptual alignments and crossing design options.
In winter 2026, county staff will hold a second public information centre to present and gather feedback on the evaluation of alternative crossing alignments, recommended road network improvements, and the conceptual design of a second Otonabee River crossing.
In spring 2026, county staff will finalize recommendations, prepare a Transportation Master Plan report, issue a public notice and begin a 30-day public comment period, and present the report to county council for approval.
More information about the Transportation Master Plan study for the Lakefield area road network is available at engage.ptbocounty.ca/lakefield-network-study.
