Two Projects Will Temporarily Close Roads In North Frontenac

Craig Bakay | Feb 05, 2025

North Frontenac Council received reports updating two major upcoming road construction projects at its regular meeting Jan. 31 in Plevna.

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule told Council that both projects will require road closures due to the scope of the work required.

“Rehabilitation of the Arcol Road Bridge is on the approved capital plan for this season at a cost of $350,000.” Sproule said in his report. “The overall width of the structure is 6.5m. “The bridge serves a dual purpose with a dam owned by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and a 4.2m wide single line of traffic. The rehabilitation of the deck includes removal of deteriorated concrete and patching with concrete fol lowed by waterproofing and a single lift of asphalt.” He said Arcol Road accommodates two lanes of traffic, however, the bridge is re stricted to a single lane.

The Pine Lake Culvert on Ardoch Road is a multiplate with a 3.7m span under a 6.8m deep rock fill. “The culvert is in very poor condition and is being monitored,” he said. “Ardoch Road at this site is two lanes with the grade rising significantly to the south. “The adjacent topography is very rug ged.” Sproule said that half-at-a-time staging is not possible given the limited width of the deck and there isn’t a viable detour. Widening of the existing deck or a tem porary modular bridge as a bypass were considered but are far too costly. “It is recommended that all works be completed under single day and partial day closures,” he said. “Timing has to be developed as yet but the approach in cludes establishing alternating open and closed periods throughout the day. “A communication strategy will be im plemented to notify local residents, emergency services and businesses of closure windows in advance of construction and where interested parties can access up dates. “We wanted to make Council aware of this rather unique staging but it is manage able and there really are a limited number of options without excessive costs. Communication will be key.”

He said the Pine Lake culvert replacement cannot be completed using half-at-a time strategy either given the width of the two-lane road and the depth of the exist ing rock fill. “We considered using a grouted liner in the existing culvert rather than removal but this wasn’t an acceptable method,” he said. “A single lane detour on one side of the site would be very costly given the depth of fill and the topography. “The recommended option is a full closure, with a reasonable but restricted du ration, to limit traffic impacts. Incentives and disincentives will be included in the contract to address compliance. “The actual duration permitted will be assessed during detailed design but we anticipate 48 hours with an around-the clock operation to install the new culvert and get a single land open to traffic.” He said the Pine Lake culvert is in very poor condition and is being monitored regularly.

“Depending on the performance of the culvert, we may need to move forward with an emergency replacement of very short notice,” he said. “The estimated cost to replace the culvert, based on a full closure and subject to the Conservation Authorities direction, is $530,000 includ ing engineering (and) is an unanticipated expenditure.” He said funds for the culvert project would be transferred from the Infrastruc ture Sustainability Tangible Capital Asset Reserve Fund with a projected year-end balance per the approved 2025 budget of $2,053,658. K & P Trail Council approved a revised K & P Trail agreement with the County of Frontenac. Mayor Gerry Lichty, who was recently named Warden of the County, said they had a long discussion on user fees. “The County doesn’t have the facilities or equipment for maintenance,” he said.

“So, they’re looking at approaching the Ontario Trails Association and Frontenac ATV Club. “You’ll probably need an approved pass if you want to ride the trails.” Hall Rentals Following her report on how hall book ings would be handled, Manager of Com munity Development Brooke Ross said: “I think everybody’s reasonably happy.” The Ompah Community Centre Associ ation has advised their preference to use the past hall booking system rather than the new system. “I think it just shows how different each of our communities are,” said Dep. Mayor John Inglis.