Roads and Parking

Kawartha Lakes manages 5,400 lane kilometres of roads and 170 kilometres of sidewalks. Read on to see how we fund, build, repair, and maintain this vital network across our communities.

Did You Know About Road Maintenance?

Watch Councillor Tracy Richardson in the short video below and learn how road maintenance operations work in Kawartha Lakes:

About Public, Private and Unassumed Roads

Boundary Roads

We share boundary roads with our neighboring municipalities. Some of these roads are unassumed.

Each section of boundary road falls under a particular agreement with a neighboring municipality. Residents on boundary roads should make themselves aware of which municipality is responsible for their particular section of road.

If you are unsure about municipal responsibility on a section of boundary road contact your nearest Municipal Service Centre.

Provincial Highways

There are four provincial highways with segments in Kawartha Lakes including:

• Highway 35
• Highway 115
• Highway 7A
• Highway 7

Provincial highways and their intersections with municipal roads are the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, which usually tenders maintenance operations to private contractors. All provincial highways within the municipality are currently tendered to Webber Infrastructure.

Contact Information

Webber Infrastructure - Bancroft Division
Phone: 1-866-348-8038

Unassumed Roads

Publicly accessible road allowances owned by the municipality may be signed as "unassumed" or "unimproved". These roads usually do not meet the minimum standards that the municipality considers acceptable for assumption. The municipality absolves itself of liability in connection to these roads.

The municipality may assume a previously unassumed or private road in the future, provided the road meets the minimum standards outlined in the Assumption of Private and Unassumed Roads Policy CP2017-010.

Service Agreements for Unassumed Roads

• Review the Seasonal Level of Service Policy before applying to understand the minimum road standards.
• The application is for unassumed roads only; we no longer accept applications for private roads.
• The road must meet the minimum standards before you submit your application.
• Include a Letter of Consent that names a Designated Representative to serve as the main contact.
• City staff will inspect the road before making a decision on your application.
• If the application is declined, the City will explain why and may offer a chance to correct any issues for a second inspection.
• Approved roads will receive seasonal service as defined in the policy, when time and resources permit.
• To obtain the application form please contact us at (705) 324-9411 and ask to speak to the Public Works Roads Department or email pwroadspermits@kawarthalakes.ca 

Seasonal Load Restrictions

There are currently no seasonal load restrictions in effect in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Load restrictions help protect roads from damage caused by heavy vehicles. They are most often introduced during the spring thaw, when melting snow and excess water can weaken the road base.

The City may limit vehicle weights on roads, or sections of roads, that are at risk of damage. Once road conditions improve and the road is strong enough to support normal loads, the restriction may be removed.

When Load Restrictions Apply

Load restriction periods usually occur between October 1 and May 31. Each year, the City issues a notice outlining the restriction period based on seasonal weather and road conditions.

Many gravel roads are subject to a 5-tonne-per-axle load restriction each spring. Signs are posted to notify road users when these restrictions are in effect.

Under By-Law 2022-190, the Director of Public Works may impose weight restrictions on most secondary roads throughout the City.

Monitoring Road Conditions

The City monitors weather and road conditions to determine when load restrictions are needed. When warm weather and significant rainfall are forecast, restrictions may be introduced to protect the road network.

Road Operations will continue to monitor conditions and update the notice as required.

The roads affected and the length of the restriction period may change in response to weather and road conditions.

Roads Not Subject to Load Restrictions

The table below lists roads in the City of Kawartha Lakes that will not be subject to load restrictions. All other roads will be subject to the load restrictions in effect on the date of this notice, in accordance with By-Law 2022-190.