Ashburnham Drive Realignment and McFarlane Street Bridge Replacement

Following Council approval of the study recommendations on September 14, 2026, the Notice of Completion has been published to indicate that the Environmental Study Report (ESR) is available for a public comment period.

Based on the findings of this MCEA study, the Preferred Design for the realignment of Ashburnham Drive Realignment and replacement of the McFarlane Street bridge includes:

• Realignment of Ashburnham Drive east of its existing alignment, between Maniece Avenue and McFarlane Street.
• Two-lane urban roadway with sidewalks and bicycle lanes within the boulevard on both sides.
• Modifications to intersections at Maniece Avenue, Hunter Street and Old Norwood Road.
• Construction of a new curved bridge immediately north of the existing McFarlane Street bridge.
• Two vehicular travel lanes with dedicated bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the bridge.
• Cul-de-sacs at Trent View Road and Watts Avenue.

Environmental Study Report Comment Period:

The study process, including the identification and evaluation of alternative design concepts, Preferred Design, potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, as well as consultation activities undertaken as part of this study, have been documented within an ESR, which is available for public comment between Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and Monday, November 16, 2026.

Please use the following link to access a copy of the ESR: Environmental Study Report

Please note that the supporting appendices are not currently available in an accessible format. Printed copies of the ESR and appendices are available for review at the following locations:

• City Hall, located at 500 George Street North
• Peterborough Public Library, located at 345 Aylmer Street North

It would be appreciated if all comments were submitted to the City contact provided on the right side of this page by no later than November 16, 2026.

At its General Committee meeting on May 4, 2026, City Council endorsed the preliminary recommendations of this study, including the preliminary design for the Ashburnham Drive realignment and McFarlane Street Bridge replacement. The recommendations were subsequently considered by City Council on May 11, 2026. Following a delegation from an affected property owner, Council deferred consideration of the study recommendations and directed the study team to meet with the property owner to further discuss potential project-related impacts to their respective property. The study team has completed updates to the preliminary design and the final draft Environmental Study Report, a copy of which can be accessed at the following link:

Final Draft Environmental Study Report

Following Council approval, the Notice of Study Completion will be published to indicate that the ESR is available for a 30-day public comment period.

The study team has completed the preliminary design and draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) and is preparing to present the study recommendations to the General Committee on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Following Council approval, the Notice of Study Completion will be published to indicate that the ESR is available for a 30-day public comment period.

Refinements to the recommended design have been made in consideration of the feedback received in relation to Online Public Information Centre 2, held between November 30 and December 22, 2023. The study team is currently preparing the preliminary design and documenting the decision-making process within an Environmental Study Report (ESR).

The study team is planning to present the study recommendations to the General Committee in winter 2026. Once approved by Council, a Notice of Study Completion will be published to notify the public that the ESR is available for review for a 30-day comment period in approximately spring 2026.

We would like to hear from you! Online Public Information Centre (PIC) 2 is available for your review and comment between November 30 and December 22, 2023.

Please click the following image to view the recorded presentation:

The City has initiated Phases 3 and 4 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process for the proposed modifications to Ashburnham Drive, generally between Maniece Avenue and McFarlane Street, and the McFarlane Street bridge crossing the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Online Public Information Centre (PIC) 1 was held from September 8 to September 30, 2022. A recorded presentation was offered as part of the online PIC to present and gather feedback on the study background, preliminary evaluation criteria, potential concept options and next steps in the study process. Two virtual PIC sessions were also offered on September 22, 2022.

Please click the following image to view the recorded presentation that was offered as part of online PIC 1: