Ontario Government Invests Over $9.5 Million For Peterborough's Critical Infrastructure

The Ontario government is investing $9,536,982 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in the City of Peterborough, announced at City Hall on Friday morning.

In 2025, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities build roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. Communities may accumulate funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding will be delivered in 2025 through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and is part of the government’s $190 billion capital plan to build and expand more homes, highways, hospitals, transit and high-speed internet across the province according to a press release.

“This investment of over $9 million will improve infrastructure throughout the City of Peterborough, particularly in the downtown core,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count onto plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

“With this support, we can address key projects that will improve our core infrastructure and create long-lasting benefits for our residents,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Strong infrastructure is the backbone of our city’s future, and this partnership with the province plays a pivotal role in ensuring a vibrant Peterborough for many years to come.”

The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities and Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems.

The funding allocations are based on a formula that accounts for each community's needs and economic conditions.

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Major Peterborough Infrastructure Project Now Complete

Parkhill Road West had been closed to through traffic between Reid and George streets for several months while major upgrades were completed.

Photo by CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

Parkhill Road West, between Reid and George streets, has been reopened to through traffic following a months-long closure for infrastructure improvements including the replacement of storm sewers, sanitary sewers and a watermain, as well as substantial grading and road reconstruction.

“I’m extremely pleased to see the successful completion of this substantial improvement to one of our major transportation routes through the city, which included significant underground infrastructure to support current residents and future growth,” Mayor Jeff Leal said. “I want to thank the community for their patience during this process.”

“We’re seeing progress on much needed infrastructure work throughout the community, including Armour Road, Lansdowne Street, the downtown repaving work, Brealey Drive and this project on Parkhill Road,” Leal added.

The $7.25 million project, which started construction in June 2023, included excavation, grading, removal and installation of storm sewers, sanitary swears, watermain, storm, sanitary and water services, low impact development features, stormwater management, new curb and gutters and sidewalks.

It also included structural adjustments, asphalt milling, base and surface asphalt installation, tree plantings, signage installations and pavement markings.

“Investments in infrastructure such as the major infrastructure work on Parkhill Road is critical for the life of our community, upgrading and protecting core services including the transportation network, storm water management, sanitary sewers and drinking water pipes,” stated councillors Kevin Duguay and Joy Lachica, co-chairs of the city’s Infrastrucutre, Planning and Growth Management Portfolio. “It’s the foundation for a thriving and growing community.”

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Charlotte Street West Streetscape Project Survey Open to Public

The City of Peterborough is inviting the public to take a survey regarding the streetscape along Charlotte Street, between Park Street North and Aylmer Street North to inform the creation of conceptual options for an enhanced streetscape design.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

A public survey for the Charlotte Street West Streetscape Project is available online through July 28. Visit City Hall reception at 500 George St. N for a paper copy of the survey.

The Charlotte Street West Streetscape Project builds upon:

• past investigation and consultation work for Charlotte Street, incorporating new guidance from updated national and provincial transportation standards;

• recently approved City of Peterborough planning documents, including the Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan, Cycling Master Plan, and Central Area Urban Design Guidelines; and

• current public consultation activities.

The project aims to integrate multi-modal transportation options (walking and rolling, cycling, transit, and driving) to support sustainable, efficient, and accessible travel for all ages and abilities according to the City. Concepts will balance space needs for travelling, loading/unloading and parking while strengthening user experience, downtown activity, and economic growth with improved amenities, wayfinding, and urban design.

According to a press release, the City is inviting community members to share feedback through the public survey on how they use this section of Charlotte Street, their experience and their ideas for the future of this important area of Peterborough’s downtown.

Feedback from the consultation will help inform the development of the conceptual design options. When the design options are created, another consultation stage will be held to get feedback on the design options before recommendations are presented to City Council.

The reconstruction of Charlotte Street has not been approved and the construction project has not been fully funded. The City is preparing a streetscape design recommendation so that a project plan is in place for when the construction is ready to proceed.

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Traffic Interruptions Expected At Kirkfield Lift Lock Until Friday Evening For Repairs

Parks Canada advises the public to expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock until Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

A crane will be on-site to support the final repairs at the Kirkfield Lift Lock before the navigation season.

“We expect to be able to maintain both lanes of traffic flow on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6), although traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as needed,” according to a press release statement.

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Monaghan Road Housing Project Making Significant Strides In Public Update From The City of Peterborough

Construction of the City of Peterborough’s affordable housing project at 681 Monaghan Rd. will show significant progress in the coming weeks as precast structural loadbearing walls and precast floor slabs are installed followed by prefabricated wall panels, announced by the City of Peterborough on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

This is the first City construction project to use prefabricated construction techniques.

Construction started in the fall of last year with an official groundbreaking ceremony held on Oct. 11 for the six-storey building with 53 units including 37 one-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units with amenity space and utilities on the ground floor. Construction is expected to be completed this year.

“It’s exciting to see the progress of construction at 681 Monaghan Rd.,” said Councillor Keith Riel. “This important housing project is being funded as part of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Rapid Housing Program, so it was essential that the team assessed construction techniques for both cost efficiency and the ability to facilitate a shorter construction period.”

“Unity Design Studio, formerly Lett Architects, has a rich history in Peterborough and is proud to be collaborating with the City of Peterborough on this project -  a crucial stride toward providing much-needed affordable housing,” said Roy Turner, Unity Design Studio senior project lead. “As the building takes form, we would like to express our gratitude for the dedication of the entire project team. Their commitment ensures that upon completion, this building will offer affordable housing to many and positively impact our community.”

“As proud members of this community, we are so fortunate to be able to help address this crisis with this much needed project,” said Craig Mortlock, Mortlock Construction president. “To date, we’ve spent many months working together with the City of Peterborough and the design team to design, coordinate, implement and construct this building. We are now at a very exciting stage of the project. We, and any other passerby, get to witness the fruits of the team’s planning and coordination, as the precast concrete structural panels are being delivered and placed on site. It is so rewarding to see this building taking shape so quickly, growing daily, eventually allowing so many people to call this building home.”

This affordable housing project received $18.9 million in federal funding through the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI3), $40,000 in SEED funding, $854,810 through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) and over $4 million from the City of Peterborough.

The project will be home to vulnerable populations in Peterborough, including Black Canadians, people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, homeless people or those at risk of homelessness.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $10 Million to Peterborough and County For Infrastructure; Mayor Jeff Leal to Prioritize Fixing Downtown Roads, Calling Them 'Embarrassing'

The Ontario Government has invested $10,154,936 into Peterborough-Kawartha to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure for 2024.

Mayor Jeff Leal wants to prioritize upgrading several deteriorated downtown roads, calling them ‘an embarrassment.’

In 2023, the Ontario government provided $400 million in funding through OCIF to 425 communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to help support economic growth and job creation, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment of over $10 million will improve infrastructure throughout the municipalities in the region,” he said. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count on to plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

The following is what each municipality is receiving from the $10 million:

• North Kawartha: $100,000

• Trent Lakes: $119,868

• Douro-Dummer: $161,441

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen: $180,124

• Selwyn: $304,404

• Peterborough County: $996,071

• Peterborough: $8,293,028

Leal was adamant about upgrading downtown roads such as Aylmer Street, George Street and Water Street.

“Some of these projects had been on the books for well over two decades,” he said.

The dilapidated roads are not representative of what Downtown Peterborough is supposed to be, according to Leal.

“When people come to the City of Peterborough, they drive to Downtown. What impression do we want them to have for the City of Peterborough?” he said. “The impression we want them to have is an innovative, growing and a progressive community and not talk about washboard streets in your downtown corner.”

Leal continued to label the roads as an embarrassment which should be addressed with the funds from the 2024 budget.

“As I've said many times, they're an embarrassment,” he explained. “An embarrassment to me and an embarrassment to every citizen in the City of Peterborough. You can't have your downtown streets in that kind of condition.”

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Partial Lane Closure At Kirkfield Lift Lock For Repairs Scheduled For Tuesday Until Saturday

The Kirkfield Lift Lock (Highway 503) will experience traffic interruptions from a lane closure starting from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m. according to Parks Canada.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

The closure facilitates crane access, supporting the Kirkfield Lift Lock Urgent Repair project according to Parks Canada. Traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as necessary.

The pedestrian walking path from the south side to the washrooms through the road-level walkway will be unavailable during this period.

While repairs progress, Parks Canada advises boaters that single chamber lockages remain in place, operating on demand and taking approximately 60 minutes per transfer.

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Infrastructure Project on Armour Road Between Hunter and Clifton Street

Armour Road between Clifton Street and Hunter Street will be closed to through traffic, with access maintained for local traffic, during a major infrastructure project that will include replacing storm sewers, sanitary sewers and the water main as well as road reconstruction.

file photo.

Local traffic with a destination within the road closure will be permitted, however travellers may experience delays within the construction limits.

The project, awarded to Green Infrastructure Partners Inc., is tentatively scheduled to begin on July 17. The majority of the work is scheduled to be completed by late fall of 2023. Any carryover work that remains will be completed between May and July 2024.

The project includes removal of existing infrastructure, excavation and grading, installation of new storm sewers and sanitary sewers, watermain, concrete curb and gutter, road base and asphalt, streetlights, sidewalk, tree planting, pavement markings and regulatory signage.

Detour routes:

Vehicle detours

Southbound traffic will turn west at Parkhill Road East, south on George Street and east on Hunter Street to Armour Road.

Northbound Traffic will travel west on Hunter Street, north on Water Street and east on Parkhill Road to Armour Road.

Pedestrian detours

Pedestrians travelling north and south will take Rogers Street between Hunter Street and Hazlitt Street. 

Transit detours

Peterborough Transit Route 7 will be rerouted northbound, continuing straight on Rogers Street, turning right on Dufferin Street and left on Armour Road, returning to the regular route.

 Northbound stops on Armour Road at Douro Street, Macfarlane Street and Euclid Avenue will not be served by Route 7 Lansdowne during this construction.

The following temporary bus stops will be added:

• Northbound on Rogers Street at Oxford Street

• Dufferin Street at Armour Road

Related information can be found by visiting the Road Construction Map posted on the City’s website.

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Government of Canada Invests $74 Million into Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced approximately $74 million in funding for projects related to infrastructure improvements along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.

Current rendering of the Whites Portage Dam. Originally constructed in 1918, the dam regulates the lake’s water level and outflow into Gloucester Pool. photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

On Wednesday, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault announced that the funding will be distributed over three years for this project.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is Canada's largest, and one of the most visited national historic sites. The waterway welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year.

The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history and 450 000 kilmometres2 of stories from coast to coast to coast.

Investing in these locations is said to help support the protection of natural heritage and rich history, increase climate resiliency and create jobs in local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality, safe and meaningful experiences across the country.

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the sustainability of Parks Canada assets. These national heritage places provide cultural, environmental and economic vitality for Canadians,” said Guilbeault. “Parks Canada’s robust dam and lock improvements along the iconic Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site will ensure critical flood mitigation for regional communities and provide for safe navigational experiences for Canadians to connect with nature.”

Rendering of the new Whites Portage Dam design, which will replace the existing dam in the same location and orientation. photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

Through this federal investment – part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022 – Parks Canada will conserve the heritage value of these important cultural resources.

The investments in infrastructure along the Trent-Severn Waterway will enhance Parks Canada’s ability to mitigate flood risks, protect heritage in Canada and strengthen the appeal of this world-class waterway as a destination for visitors and tourists.

Once these infrastructure projects are complete, the lifespan and function of these structures will have been extended for decades, continuing to connect and protect local communities. The work supported through this investment includes:

• repairs to the Kirkfield Lift Lock;

• recapitalization of the walls, tunnels and valves at Lock 42 – Couchiching;

• recapitalization of the Little Chute Dam “G” near Port Severn;

• replacement of the Whites Portage Dam on Six Mile Lake;

• recapitalization of the valve tunnels for Healey Falls Locks 16 and 17; and,

• creation of an access road from White’s Falls Road to the Pretty Channel Dam.
  Parks Canada has a mandate to conserve and present national heritage places in Canada. More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada’s assets play critical functions, such as transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians. These upgrades will help ensure public safety, quality and reliability for visitors, incorporate green technologies and climate resilience, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.

“From First Nations to fur traders to lumber barons and steamship traffic, the Waterway has linked communities across Ontario for over a hundred years. Investments in the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site’s infrastructure are essential for public safety, preserving natural and cultural heritage, ensuring environmental protection and conservation, and providing benefits for visitors, local communities and the nation’s tourism industry,” said Guilbeault.

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Ontario Announces $13 Million Investment For Infrastructure Improvements and Other Expenses at Campbellford Memorial Hospital

MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South David Piccini, along with officials at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) have announced Thursday that the province is providing more than $13 million for infrastructure improvements to the hospital.

file photo.

This investment is said to help the hospital significantly through upgrades to their HVAC system, replacing their aging generator and continuing with facility improvements designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

HVAC work includes replacing air handling units, improving ductwork, air filtration and ventilation systems, as well as upgrading the air distribution system and installing an automated building control system. These upgrades will reportedly reduce CMH's yearly natural gas consumption by 10,000 cubic metres, and lower its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 19 tons annually.

"As we make progress on securing a new hospital in Campbellford, it is vital that we ensure those in our community receive safe, high quality medical care," said MPP Piccini. "This critical infrastructure investment will ensure that patients at Campbellford Memorial continue to receive the right care they need, when they need it."

These investments mark a series of improvements that CMH has undertaken over the past 12 months, including the installation of a new nurse call system, renovations in the kitchen and cafeteria and the purchase of new state of the art diagnostic equipment such as a bladder scanner and digital slit lamp.

CMH has also earned "Accredited with Exemplary Standing" status from Accreditation Canada following their accreditation review last month. Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts reviews of health organizations around the world and sets standards for safety and quality in healthcare. Accreditation for Exemplary standing is awarded to an organization that attains the highest level of performance, achieving excellence in meeting the requirements of the program.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and confirmation that we have appropriate procedures and plans in place to provide high-quality care to our community," stated CMH CEO Eric Hanna. “(The) investment will allow us to purchase a new, state of the art generator, as well as upgrade our emergency power distribution, to ensure that when the power goes out; our ability to provide high quality patient care is not impeded.”

The funding is to be broken down as follows: $9,639,900 will go towards CMH as one-time capital funding to address the HVAC and generator, $1,874,929 for reimbursement of CMH's COVID-19 related capital expenses, $771,797 in COVID-19 incremental operating funding, up to $600,000 in one-time funding to support the hospital's in-year financial and operating pressures, $163,600 in pandemic prevention and containment funding, $81,132 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $46,884 in health human resources funding.

For more information on the Campbellford Memorial Hospital and this investment, visit the website.

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