The Town of Cobourg’s Public Works Division is pleased to announce the completion of the Kerr Street Road project and the Midtown Creek Flood Reduction Pond project after many years of planning and months of construction, supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority initiated the flood-reduction project and has been critical in assisting the town throughout the planning process. In partnership with the GRCA, the town successfully received $800,000 from both Federal and provincial governments through the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fundfor the construction of the Midtown Creek Flood Reduction Pond project.
The Kerr Street Road project is identified in the town's Transportation Master Plan to address the long-term need for an additional east-west arterial road to connect the community and relieve traffic congestion. Along with Federal and provincial funding contributions for the pond, the remainder of the Kerr Street project was primarily funded through the collection of development charges, due to its designation as necessary to accommodate on-going growth.
“Both projects involved separate Municipal Class Environmental Assessments to approve and initiate the construction, which was completed in 2008 for the Kerr Street project and in 2018 for the design of the Midtown Creek Flood Reduction Pond,” Director of Public Works Laurie Wills said in the press release.
“These projects would not have been possible without the partnership of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority and the financial support of both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.”
The newly extended Kerr Street Road covers 1.3 km of road (400 m west of Division Street, and 0.9 km between Division Street and D’Arcy Street) and now provides important additional road frontage to previously inaccessible industrial lands.
The new arterial road also offers an additional east-west vehicular traffic option, which will help alleviate congestion on Elgin Street and King Street - and deter unnecessary cut-through traffic in Northam Industrial Park and on residential roads such as Munroe Street and Spencer Street.
In addition to the potential economic benefits, the Kerr Street Road project also included the planting of approximately 130 trees and 85 potted shrubs.
In addition to the road extension, the Transportation Master Plan also identified the need for an Active Transportation Network within the town, which is defined as human-powered modes of transportation (typically walking and cycling). Through the completion of the Kerr Street Road project, the town now has a functional active transportation network beginning at Brook Road North through to Division Street. The Midtown Creek Flood Reduction Pond is designed to retain storm water during significant rainfalls and then slowly release the water into the Midtown Creek in a controlled manner. Previously, heavy rainfalls caused downstream flooding of properties and roads in this area.
The creation of the pond required excavating 72,000 cubic metres of soil from the site. However the newly constructed Midtown Creek Pond has been significantly enhanced for both flood reduction and environmental benefits.
The creek has been transformed into a meandering channel designed to promote fish habitat, provide rest areas for migrating fish and offer a safe passage through a culvert that runs under Kerr Street. The pond's landscaping also incorporates approximately 175 trees and more than 1,000 potted plants.
The Town of Cobourg would like to recognize and thank the organizations who contributed to both of these projects, including CIMA+, D.M. Wills Associates Ltd., the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Behan Construction Ltd., and all the local contractors who worked on these projects. The town also thanks the adjacent property owners and members of the community for their continued patience and assistance.
“The Kerr Street Road project and the Midtown Creek Flood Reduction Pond project is a great example of what can be accomplished when we all work together,” Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini commented.
“This investment by the province through the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund supports job creation, economic growth and development.
“The Kerr Street Road project creates access to previously inaccessible industrial land, improves our roadways, helps alleviate congestion and creates a functional active transportation network in the area,” Piccini listed.
“The Midtown Creek Flood Reduction Pond supports storm water management, flood reduction and creates additional environmental benefits.
“Our government looks forward to continuing to support projects that promote a healthy economy and a healthy environment.”
