Public Consultation

Public Notices

Notice of Activation of Reduced Load Period

It is an offence, under section 122 of The Highway Traffic Act, to transport loads in excess of five (5) tonnes per axle upon roads where reduced loads are in effect.

Take notice that in accordance with The Corporation of the County of Lanark By-Law #99-07, reduced load restrictions will be in force on designated County Roads effective Monday, March 2, 2026.

This restriction will apply only on those County Roads that are posted with the appropriate signs.

A map of all County Roads and the list of County Road exceptions where reduced load periods are not in effect can be viewed here:  Reduced Load Restrictions List & Map 2026

The reduced load period is necessary for the protection of certain County Roads that are susceptible to damage during the spring thaw.  The restriction will be removed when the likelihood of road damage has diminished.

For inquiries please contact the Lanark County Public Works Department at:

Telephone:  613.267.1353 or E-mail: roads@lanarkcounty.ca

Bridge Construction

5 Arches Bridge

5-Arches Pakenham Stone Bridge

The County of Lanark is currently planning the Phase 2 of the 5-Arches Bridge construction in 2026. A Public Information Center is planned for Thursday, April 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pakenham Library, 128 MacFarlane St., Pakenham.

The PIC will be an open‑house format with County staff and project representatives available to answer questions. No formal presentation is scheduled, and attendees are welcome to drop in at any time during the event.

Andrewsville Bridge

The Counties of Lanark and Leeds Grenville have retained Jewell Engineering to prepare a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) report to evaluate alternatives to address the deteriorating condition of the Andrewsville Bridge over the Rideau River, located in the hamlet of Andrewsville about 5 km north of the Village of Merrickville.

Andrewsville bridge is designated as a boundary bridge, therefore it is jointly maintained by the County of Lanark and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. For further documentation about the status of this project, please contact Lanark County Public Works.

Notice of Study Commencement

Class Environmental Assessment for the Andrewsville Bridge

The Counties of Lanark and Leeds and Grenville are undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the review of alternatives for the Andrewsville Bridge, located in the hamlet of Andrewsville, over the Rideau River, approximately 5km north of the Village of Merrickville.  The options review is a priority for the Counties due to the bridge’s age and condition, posted weight restriction and seasonal operation, and its potential cultural and heritage value.  As part of the Environmental Assessment process, options for bridge reconstruction including the possible permanent decommissioning, will be reviewed to determine the preferred solution.

The project is being initiated in accordance with the latest edition of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Manual issued by the Municipal Engineers Association.  The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process applies to municipal infrastructure projects including road and bridge works.  This project is proceeding as a Schedule ‘B’ undertaking in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Manual.

Public and agency consultation is an important component of the Environmental Assessment process.  In addition to this notice, a Public Consultation Centre will be planned where the public will be invited to review options, ask questions, and provide comments.  The date and time of the PCC will be provided in the near future.

Subject to comments received and the receipt of necessary approvals, the Counties of Lanark and Leeds and Grenville intend to proceed with the planning, design, and implementation of the preferred alternative.

If you are interested in receiving further information on this project, please contact the following individuals:

 

ENGINEER
Chris Bent, P.Eng.
Project Manager
Jewell Engineering Inc.,
1 – 71 Millennium Parkway
Belleville, ON
K8N 4Z5
Telephone: (613) 969-1111
Fax: (613) 969-8988
Email:  chris@jewelleng.ca

OWNER
Sean Derouin, P.Eng., CET
Public Works Director
County of Lanark
99 Christie Lake Road
Perth, ON
K7H 3C6
Telephone (613) 267-1353
Fax (613) 267-2793
Email:  sderouin@lanarkcounty.ca

Background
The Andrewsville Bridge (MTO Site No. 015-0013) spans the Rideau River and provides access to the Parks Canada swing bridge which crosses the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rideau Canal at Nicholson’s Locks.

Constructed in the early 1900’s, the Bridge is composed of two simply supported structures: a 38-metre span steel through- truss with timber deck (west approach); and a 10-metre span timber deck on a rolled steel girders (east approach).

Andrewsville Bridge has had a 5-tonne load limit imposed since 1952, which is the same load limit of the adjacent swing bridge. Average daily traffic is less than 200 cars per day.

Structural inspections have identified that the bridge has outlived its normal service life noting the original steel superstructure continues to deteriorate at an ever-increasing rate. The biggest concern is the stability of the 70 metre drystone retaining wall on the south approach that is at risk of collapse.

The timber deck of the main structure was replaced in 2008 along with minor structural repairs.

In the 2012, the bridge was struck and damaged by a transport trailer and was closed indefinitely due to the damage. As a result, discussion was prompted for the consideration of permanent closure as the best long-term solution. Residents protested this and formed the group “The Friends of Andrewsville Bridge”, initiating the campaign “Save the Andrewsville Bridge” where they organized petitions and persuaded Township and County Councillors to preserve the bridge.

Repairs as a result of the truck collision were completed and the bridge was opened to traffic in March of 2013. Height restricting barriers were also installed at this time to deter large vehicles from attempting to cross.

The west end approach steel stringers were replaced in 2016 and the east end stringers in 2018.

Council passed a by-law in 2018 approving recommendation to close the bridge to traffic on an annual basis from December 1st to March 31st to prolong the lifespan of the bridge by eliminating further corrosion as a result of de-icing materials being tracked across the bridge.

The County has completed enhanced inspections on the bridge on a yearly basis and will continue to monitor its condition throughout the Municipal Class EA process.

Submit a Question or Concern

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works office.

Consultation Opportunities

ALTO High Speed Rail

For information regarding the ALTO High Speed Rail project and consultation activities, please find the link below to the ALTO website.

Alto Public Consultation

K&P Trail

K & P Trail Acquisition

The County of Lanark is excited to be working towards the acquisition of the K & P trail in Lanark Highlands. The K & P was decommissioned as a rail line in the 1960s and since then has been accessed by the public as a trail and special interest transportation link. Most recently the trail has been owned and managed by Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). In December, 2025 the MVCA entered into agreements with Frontenac, Lanark and Renfrew Counties to transfer the trail sections in each county to the respective counties. 

The County has recently sent a communication to landowners related to this acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the County taking ownership from MVCA?
The County is assuming ownership to allow for consistent management, long-term planning, and potential development of a connected recreational trail system that benefits residents, visitors, and local communities. 
When will the trail be transferred to the County?
The County is in its due diligence stage of the property purchase. Lanark County  has until early June to determine if the purchase will proceed.  Lanark County has worked with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) to lease the property prior to the purchase.  Given the historical nature of the property, and associated issues with legal descriptions and surveying, it is anticipated that the trail property will be transferred in sections over a span of several years. 

If the County chooses not to proceed with the purchase of the trail, Lanark County Council  will explore options with MVCA to continue its mandate to maintain the availability of the trails for public recreational use. 

I am an adjoining property owner to the Trail. Will my property be impacted?
The County will be reaching out directly to impacted property owners in the winter/spring of 2026.  We are committed to work with adjoining or adjacent landowners to ensure any issues related to their property access and/or legal title are addressed appropriately. In many cases, the County’s required work to purchase the trail will also resolve other issues for adjoining property owners. The County anticipates much of the trail will need to be surveyed to confirm proper legal description.  

If you are an adjacent landowner and you have not been contacted directly by the County, please contact:

Cindy Deachman, Public Works Business Manager

613-267-4200 ext 3110

Portions of the trail had been plowed in winter? Why is this not continuing?
The decision not to plow the trail was made by the local municipality, the Township of Lanark Highlands. This decision was made independently of the County’s decision to purchase the trail. We understand that the township reviewed all its plow routes, including the trail, and made its decision partially because the trail is not considered a road under relevant legislation and therefore the township has no jurisdiction or ownership of the trail.  

If you have more questions related to the Lanark Highlands plowing, please contact Kathryn Maton, Public Works Manager, at Lanark Highlands Township. 

How will the trail change once the County of Lanark assumes ownership?
It is the County’s intention to continue the existing year-round recreational uses of the trail. The County will hold public information session(s) in the spring to seek feedback as to how to manage the trail in the future. The County wishes to balance tourism opportunities with functionality of the trail as a local transportation system for access to recreational properties, crown land and lands used for logging.  

Detailed information related to timing and location of the public information sessions will be provided in March. Please continue to monitor this website page and The County of Lanark Facebook page for more information regarding the public information sessions.  

We welcome feedback from the public on this item at any time. Please contact Cindy Deachman for further information. 

What will the rules be for the trail? Will passes be required?
Lanark County has not established formal rules for the trail, however, it is likely that the trail will follow similar rules as other trails in Lanark, the Tay Havelock Trail and the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT).  

The trail use rules will also be discussed as part of the public information sessions referenced above and we welcome feedback from landowners, stakeholders and trail users prior to the formal adoption of the rules.  

Simplified rules for the OVRT can be found here: Rules for OVRT Use

Detailed rules for County Trails can be found here: By-Law 2018-42

How will the rules be enforced? Who will enforce them?
Enforcement of the trail rules will be established in the processes above and will be contained in the trails use rules. It is likely enforcement will be a combination of police services (Ontario Provincial Police) and Lanark County staff.  
Will the condition of the trail be improved?
Once the purchase has been completed, the County will assess the trail infrastructure and determine a plan for asset management to ensure the trail is maintained. Our priority will be to ensure the trail infrastructure (culverts/bridges etc.) is safe, and secondly, similar to the OVRT and Tay Havelock Trails, the County will seek to improve the surface treatment of the trail to ensure a pleasant experience for trail riders. 
I currently use the trail for vehicular access to my property. Will I be allowed to continue?
The County acknowledges that over the years landowners have relied on the trail for vehicular access to their properties. Accordingly, the County has agreed to continue to allow this access in limited circumstances.  We remain committed to working with landowners to formalize their right of access to their properties in accordance with relevant legislation.  

If you are an owner that uses portions of the trail to access your property and you have not been contacted by Lanark County, please email or call Cindy Deachman, Public Works Business Manager at 613-267-4200 ext 3110.

I currently use the trail for vehicular access to crown property. Will I be allowed to continue?
The trail is not a municipal highway and not designed for vehicular traffic. To maintain the safety and integrity of the K & P as a recreational trail, general vehicular traffic will be discouraged. Limited permission for  vehicular access may be granted on a case by case basis for property owners and logging companies which historically have used the trail for access. The County will work with affected property owners and stakeholders to formalize the permission for access. 

If you are a stakeholder or property owner who uses the trail for access to other property, please email or call Cindy Deachman, Public Works Business Manager at 613-267-4200 ext 3110. 

Are there trailheads planned for accessing the trail?
There are existing parking areas at Lavant Station where the trail intersects with the South Lavant Road, and Flower Station, at the intersection with the Flower Station Road. No new or additional trailheads are planned at this time.  
Does this trail connect with other trail networks?
Yes, the K & P extends southwest through Frontenac County and meets the Tay Havelock Trail in Sharbot Lake. The K & P through the County of Renfrew requires some road travel around Calabogie Lake to connect with the north section of the K & P. The north section intersects with the Ottawa Valley Rail Trail (OVRT) at the Town of Renfrew. 
How will environmental impacts be addressed?
Environmental considerations are a priority. Any future trail development would be subject to environmental reviews, permitting, and mitigation measures as required by provincial and federal regulations. 
Why is the County surveying the former K&P Railway corridor?
The County of Lanark is surveying the former K&P Railway corridor as part of the process to assume ownership from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). The survey will confirm property boundaries, legal descriptions, and existing conditions so the County can properly manage the corridor and plan for its future use as a recreational trail. 
Will surveyors be accessing private property?
Survey crews may need to temporarily access lands adjacent to the corridor where required to accurately establish boundaries. Surveyors are legally permitted to do so under provincial legislation and will make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption and respect private property. 
Will fences, structures, or landscaping be disturbed during the survey process?
Surveying typically involves placing small stakes or markers and taking measurements. No permanent damage is expected, and any minor disturbance required to complete the work will be minimized. Surveyors are not authorized to remove permanent structures. 
What if I believe I own part of the former rail corridor?
If there are questions or disputes regarding ownership or encroachments, the survey will help clarify the legal situation. Property owners with concerns will have opportunities to raise them with the County as the ownership transfer process proceeds and should contact Cindy Deachman, Public Works Business Manager, by email or phone (613-267-4200 ext 3110). 
How long will the survey take?
Surveying will occur over several months, depending on weather and site conditions. Work will move progressively along the corridor rather than taking place everywhere at once.