Kawartha Lakes plans infrastructure upgrades with eye on growth in Lindsay

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Design plans, for major roadwork on Kent Street and Victoria Avenue in Lindsay, are being expanded and updated, with environmental assessments, extended project limits, and coordinated infrastructure upgrades, aimed at preparing for growth and meeting the goals of the 2025 Transportation Master Plan.

Kent Street’s design will now include a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) and extend west to Angeline Street, with plans for future road widening. Victoria Avenue’s work will also undergo an EA, ensuring sewer upgrades and better coordination with the Kent Street project.

“We’re looking at these projects, not just for today’s needs but, for the Lindsay of 20 or 30 years from now,” said Dr. Adam Found, Manager of Corporate Assets. “By expanding the scope now and coordinating construction, we can save time, money and disruption down the road.”

Most of the budget changes will be funded through development charges. The Kent Street design budget will rise by $400,000, while Victoria Avenue’s will decrease slightly, due to efficiencies from joint planning. Additional funding adjustments will also be made for related water and sewer work, with the overall budget across all affected projects increasing from $420,000 to $900,000.

The Transportation Master Plan identified the need to widen Kent Street, from four to five lanes, adding a centre turning lane, and to integrate a multiuse paved pathway on the north side. “This is a major artery for Lindsay,” Dr. Found noted. “We want to get it right the first time, so it can support traffic, businesses and active transportation well into the future.”

For Victoria Avenue, the focus will be on replacing aging infrastructure and upsizing the sanitary sewer. The work will also consider recommendations from the Downtown Parking Strategy which proposes angle parking between Kent Street and Peel Street.

Construction on both streets is expected to take place in 2029, following the expansion of the Kent Street/Angeline Street intersection in 2028. The projects will complete the renewal of Kent Street West, following the downtown reconstruction in 2019–2022 and the planned resurfacing, west of Angeline, in 2025.

“These projects are about building for growth, while making sure we coordinate road, sewer, and watermain work efficiently,” Dr. Found explained. “It’s a long-term investment in Lindsay’s future.”

At a recent meeting, Council received the report as printed, extending the design timelines to December 31st, 2028, to allow for the two-year EA process and one year of design work.