Lanark County expands trail network upgrades, bridge work continues

Lanark County Public Works has completed a busy 2025 construction season, with nearly 25 kilometres of roadway upgraded with paved shoulders and more than 16 kilometres improved through micro-surfacing.

The projects represent what the county calls a significant investment in infrastructure, safety and accessibility.

On County Road 43, paved shoulders were added from Station Road to Mazie Street, completing a continuous stretch of upgrades between Perth and Smiths Falls. Scotch Line Road (County Road 10) saw paved shoulders, drainage improvements and the addition of a left-turn slip lane at Glen Tay Road.

Other paved shoulder projects included:

• Waba Road (County Road 20) – from Shaw Road southerly for 4.6 km
• Ferguson Falls Road (County Road 15) – from Pine Grove Road to Highway 7
• Highway 511 – 3 km north of Tatlock Road northerly for 3.4 km
• Derry Side Road (County Road 17) – from Beckwith 9th Line southerly for 1.9 km

Public Works also trialled night paving on several routes, including Highway 511, Ferguson Falls Road, Waba Road and Derry Side Road. Based on the results, night paving may be used more widely in future projects.

Pavement preservation work included micro-surfacing on sections of Maberly-Elphin Road, McDonalds Corners Road and Townline Road.

The county also completed major bridge projects this year. The Blakeney Bridge replacement has been finished, upgrading the former single-lane bridge with a two-lane modular structure that includes a widened shoulder and pedestrian walkway. Work also began on the 5-Arches Bridge, where crews are replacing concrete jackets around stone footings in the Mississippi River. Additional restoration work, including parapet stone and asphalt deck replacement, is scheduled for 2026.

On the trail network, the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail north of Almonte was resurfaced with stone dust, and more than 12 km of the Tay-Havelock Trail were upgraded with new gravel, drainage improvements and tree removal. Both trails will see new wayfinding signage this fall.

“This year’s road and bridge improvements reflect our commitment to building safer, more accessible infrastructure for everyone in Lanark County,” said Sean Derouin, the county’s Public Works director in a media release. “We’re grateful for the public’s patience and support throughout the construction season.”