Public Meeting- Cooney Pit – OPA 15
TAKE NOTICE that the County of Lanark has received a request to amend its Official Plan and is holding a Public Meeting to gain public and stakeholder feedback on the proposed amendment.
The Public Meeting allows interested parties the opportunity to submit formal comments and feedback to Lanark County Council regarding the proposed amendment. You may attend the public meeting and provide your comments orally, and/or you may submit your comments in writing to the Planning Manager at the contact below.
The amendment request applies to the lands known as 9665 Highway 511. The purpose and effect of the amendment is to change the Official Plan designation of the subject property from Rural to Licensed Aggregate Extraction Operation. A concurrent application for a license under the Aggregate Resources Act has been made for a Class A pit with a maximum annual extraction of 20,000 tonnes annually. The property formerly hosted the James Pit.
The Public Meeting will be held at 5:00pm on August 27, 2025 at the Lanark County Administrative Building, Council Chambers, 99 Christie Lake Road, Perth.
If you wish to be notified of the decision of Lanark County on the proposed Official Plan Amendment, you must make a written request to the Planning Manager at the contact provided below.
Contact information:
Mike Dwyer, Planning Manager
99 Christie Lake Road
Perth ON K7H 3C6
1-613-267-4200 Ext 1520
mdwyer@lanarkcounty.ca
Notice of Public Meeting – Cooney Pit – OPA 15
2025 Reduced Load Restrictions
Please note that reduced load restrictions have been lifted on all county roads with the following exceptions: CR17 (Derry Side Road)
Restrictions will remain in effect on this road until further notice. For more information, see Reduced Load Information.
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.
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
5-Arches Pakenham Stone Bridge
UPDATE: Next Bridge closure scheduled for the morning of Tuesday August 19th, 2025
The County of Lanark has contracted KB Civil Constructors inc. to undertake substructure rehabilitation work on the historic 5-Arches Stone bridge in Pakenham. 2025 Work includes removal and repouring of the existing concrete pier jackets and repointing deteriorated masonry joints on the bridge piers.
Bridge Closure
The bridge may be closed periodically as needed to facilitate work. Look for updates on advanced digital signage and social media for planned closure dates.
Commuters are asked to pay attention to advanced digital signage for the status of planned upcoming closures.
Closure Limitations
If the bridge is closed during construction, it will only be closed within the following schedule:
Monday – Thursday: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour before sunset.
Friday: Half-hour before sunrise to Noon
The Bridge will remain open overnight and on Weekends and Holidays .
Daily closures may be in place until work is completed in October, 2025.
Detour Route
A signed detour route will be in effect during the daily closures. Digital message board signs will be in place to notify the public when closures are in effect.
The planned detour route will use Galetta Side Road, Upper Dwyer Hill Road and Kinburn Side Road.
5-Arches Pakenham Stone Bridge Detour Map
Site Camera
Submit a Question or Concern
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works office.
Andrewsville Bridge
Purpose
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.
- Draft Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report
- Enhanced Inspection Report- July 2021
- Preliminary Construction Estimates For All Options – updated Dec. 21/22
- Option Score Matrix – updated Dec. 21/22
- Fund Summary – updated Dec. 21/22
- Andrewsville Bridge Heritage Impact Assessment – posted Jan. 20/23
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
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.
The Class EA requires public and stakeholder consultation, evaluation of alternatives, an assessment of potential impacts of the proposed alternatives and identification of measures to mitigate any adverse impacts. Upon completion of the study, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) documenting the process will be available for public review and comments for a period of 30 calendars days.
Public Consultation will take place online as a virtual Public Consultation Centre (PCC) on this webpage.
Any person may view the attached presentation and provide comments by February 24, 2023 to the following email andrewsvillebridge@lanarkcounty.ca
Submit a Question or Concern
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works office.
Rural Transit Feasibility Study
Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls are inviting residents and visitors to participate in the second round of public consultation for the Rural Transit Feasibility Study, which aims to explore solutions for improving transit options across the region.
The study, led by consulting firm Arcadis, is assessing current transportation challenges and developing strategies to enhance mobility for rural communities. Based on feedback from the first round of consultation, the project team has developed several transit scenarios and is now seeking input on their benefits and trade-offs.
Public Drop-In Events will be held in August at the following locations:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Perth Library, 30 Herriott Street, Town of Perth
4:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Almonte Library, 155 High Street, Municipality of Mississippi Mills
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Town Hall, 77 Beckwith Street North, Town of Smiths Falls
These informal drop-in sessions offer an opportunity to learn more about the study, ask questions, and share feedback directly with the project team. Public input is vital to shaping a transit strategy that reflects local needs and priorities.
For those unable to attend in person, feedback can be submitted through the On Demand Transit Concepts Survey.
