DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Travellers, on Brock Township's rural roads, should continue to see improvements throughout the summer and autumn, as municipal crews press ahead with an expanded maintenance program, funded through council's emergency rural roads initiative. At a meeting, on Monday, June 29th, Brock Township Council received an update on the municipality's previously approved Rural Roads Emergency Funding program, in

SCUGOG: Motorists travelling along Regional Road 57 in the Township of Scugog should expect lane restrictions throughout much of the summer as the Regional Municipality of Durham undertakes road rehabilitation work. The project is scheduled to begin during the week of July 6th and continue until August 31st, although the timeline may be affected by unfavourable weather conditions. Lane restrictions will be in effect on two sections of Regional Road 57: from approximately 100

UXBRIDGE: Drivers in the Township of Uxbridge are being advised of a significant upcoming road closure on Zephyr Road as Durham Region prepares to begin a major reconstruction project this summer. The Region of Durham says Zephyr Road (Regional Road 13) will be fully closed between Concession Road 3 and Concession Road 4, starting July 13th, with the closure expected to remain in place until October 7th. Following the full closure, lane restrictions will continue through the

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Additional dwelling units are expected to become easier to understand, and safer to build, following the launch of a new Township of Scugog guide and registration framework, designed to help homeowners create legal secondary living spaces. Approved by Council, on June 22nd, the new Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guide and ADU Registration By-law build on housing policies, first adopted in March of 202

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: A long-overdue overhaul of Brock's rules governing site alteration and fill is moving forward. Municipal officials say, the proposed changes will better protect farmland, natural features, and neighbouring properties while making the approval process easier to understand. Council recently received a report, from, Chief Building Official, Chris Robinson, outlining a proposed new Site Alteration and Fill

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Residents and motorists, in the boundary area between Brock and Scugog, are being advised to prepare for several months of traffic disruptions, as the Regional Municipality of Durham moves ahead with a full replacement of the Saintfield Road Bridge over the Layton River. Durham Region has awarded the construction contract to Looby Construction Limited, and crews are expected to arrive the week o

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Dog owners in Beaverton are one step closer to having a dedicated place for their pets to run and play, after Brock Council voted to move forward with the long-awaited Beaverton Dog Park project, this year. The decision was made during the, Monday, June 15th, council meeting, when members considered a staff report, from, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Wayne Ward, outlining updated costs

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Plans to significantly expand Brock Township's sidewalk network have been put on hold, after council voted to pause future work, outlined in the Sidewalk Master Plan, and undertake a detailed review of its long-term financial and operational impacts. The decision was made during Brock Township Council's meeting, on June 15th, after members received a report, from, Capital Projects Coordinator, James Pe

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: Years of wear and tear, beneath one of Port Perry's key roadways, have prompted additional engineering work, as plans move forward for a major rehabilitation of Old Simcoe Road. The preliminary design phase for the Old Simcoe Road Rehabilitation project is underway and remains on schedule; however, new investigations have revealed underground deficiencies which will require further study before constr

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Residents across Brock Township are beginning to see improvements to local roads, following an emergency special council meeting, held on April 17th, to address concerns over deteriorating road conditions after a difficult winter and spring. Mayor Mike Jubb recently provided an update on the municipality’s response, stating, “Immediately after that meeting, and within four working days, all 150 km of o

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard SCUGOG: Residents in Scugog should prepare for upcoming lane restrictions on Island Road as Durham Region begins a road rehabilitation project later this month. Lane restrictions will be in place on Island Road (Regional Road 7) from Fralicks Beach Road to Hood Drive beginning May 19th and continuing through June 2026. The work is being carried out to safely rehabilitate the roadway. Durham Region noted that unfavourable weather conditions could aff

UXBRIDGE: Residents in the Township of Uxbridge are being invited to review and provide feedback on a proposed new roundabout planned for the intersection of Brock Road and Goodwood Road. The Regional Municipality of Durham is proposing the construction of a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Brock Road (Regional Road 1) and Goodwood Road (Regional Road 21), along with the addition of an eastbound truck climbing lane. Regional officials say the proposed improvement

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A deteriorating rural crossing, west of Old Simcoe Road, is set for a major upgrade, after council endorsed a modular bridge solution, aimed at improving safety while saving both time and money. At its meeting, on April 27th, council approved a plan to replace a failing concrete box culvert, on Scugog Line 2, with a prefabricated modular bridge system, awarding a single-source contract, valued at roug

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Potholes, washouts, and soft shoulders have become a familiar, and frustrating, sight, across Brock’s rural concessions, this spring, prompting council to take urgent action, at a special meeting on Friday, April 17th. With more than 100 millimetres of recent rainfall and lingering frost beneath the surface, road conditions, across the township, have deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, drawing concer

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A midpoint review of the municipality’s four-year strategic plan shows significant progress, with more initiatives now moving from planning into delivery and completion. At a council meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, Josh Dunsworth, Manager of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Kawartha Lakes, presented the 2025 annual update and midpoint review of the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. The repor

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Repairs are moving ahead, on a well-used pedestrian link in the heart of Cannington, after council approved a contract for rehabilitation work, on the MacLeod Park Pedestrian Bridge, at its meeting, on Monday, February 23rd. Council awarded a contract to Melfer Construction Inc., the lowest compliant bidder, following a competitive Request for Tender process which closed on February 5th. Eleven bids

DARRYL KNIGHT The Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An innovative road repair product tested last year will see a broader rollout in 2026 after council approved two major rehabilitation contracts aimed at improving driving conditions across the municipality. At its February 9th meeting, council awarded contracts for both Flexible Asphalt Cold Technology (FACT) and slurry seal projects to Miller Paving Limited, the lowest compliant bidder in each te

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: A defining landmark, on Port Perry’s waterfront, is poised for a new chapter, following a major federal funding announcement. The Township of Scugog, through the efforts of the volunteer-led charity PPGE Renovation & Revitalization Inc. (PPGE), has been successful in securing $500,000 from the Government of Canada’s Legacy Fund, to support the restoration and revitalization of the Port Perry Grain E

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: Work on the Sunderland Arena expansion and renovation project is continuing to move forward, despite slight delays caused by utility connections. Officials report substantial progress has already been made, with demolition nearly complete and construction now underway on both the exterior and interior of the facility. Mayor Mike Jubb called the project “a historic project in the Township of Brock,” no

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard BROCK: Progress continues on the long-anticipated replacement of the Beaver River Bridge in Beaverton, as the Region of Durham advances regulatory steps required under federal legislation and prepares for construction to begin next year. The Region has submitted detailed information about the project to the Navigable Waters Registry, as required under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. The submission, now open for public comment, outlines the proj