Otonabee River Trail and Shoreline Improvement Project Moves Forward With Major Changes Planned for Crescent Street
/By Scott Arnold
A long-planned project along Little Lake is moving toward detailed design, with a new one-way Crescent Street, separated walking and cycling facilities, shoreline restoration and a larger public space at the T-Warf among the proposed changes.
shoreline bank near the gore (rendering courtesy city of peterborough)
Peterborough City Council has endorsed the concept plan for the Otonabee River Trail and Shoreline Improvement Project, allowing the City to move ahead with detailed design and preparation of tender documents.
The project would transform the Crescent Street corridor between Lake Street and Haggart Street while completing an important missing section of the Little Lake Loop.
Under the proposed design, Crescent Street would become one-way for vehicles, with traffic travelling south from Lake Street before continuing east along the waterfront toward Haggart Street.
The westbound movement would be removed, allowing space for a two-way cycle track, a new shoreline sidewalk, landscaping and dedicated parking areas.
At the Gore, between Romaine Street and Lock Street, vehicles would be removed entirely. The area would become public space connecting with the T-Warf, creating room for seating, gatherings, festivals, markets and other seasonal programming.
A turning circle at the east end of Crescent Street would maintain local access and access to Little Lake Cemetery.
(courtesy city of peterborough)
A Major Focus on the Shoreline
The project isn't just about changing how people move along Crescent Street.
Much of the shoreline was hardened decades ago using concrete, turfstone and rip-rap. Some of those materials are now failing and portions of the bank are eroding.
The proposed project would take a more naturalized approach, using native plantings, live stakes and an emergent aquatic edge to help stabilize the shoreline and restore habitat.
The City is also looking at how much of the existing shoreline material can be retained rather than removing everything and replacing it. Staff say this could reduce construction costs, waste and in-water work while still addressing areas that require stabilization.
The final planting plan will be worked out during detailed design, with the City also considering concerns about maintaining views of Little Lake while providing shade, habitat and erosion protection.
What Happens to Traffic?
The City commissioned a traffic analysis to examine what would happen if Crescent Street became one-way.
The analysis estimates that about 60 vehicles during the morning peak hour and 80 during the afternoon peak hour would be redirected from the westbound Crescent Street movement, primarily onto surrounding roads such as Ware Street.
According to the City's analysis, the surrounding road network can accommodate the additional traffic and the change is not expected to create significant new traffic operational impacts.
The analysis also identified existing and future capacity issues at several intersections along George Street, but those issues are attributed to existing conditions and future background traffic growth rather than the proposed Crescent Street changes.
(courtesy city of peterborough)
A Long-Planned Project
The Otonabee River Trail has been part of several City planning documents for years.
Council endorsed the direction of a Class Environmental Assessment in 2015, including making Crescent Street one-way, closing the Gore to vehicle traffic and creating separate walking and cycling facilities.
That environmental assessment was never formally completed and is now considered inactive and out of date. Under current rules, this type of work is pre-approved and no longer requires a Class Environmental Assessment.
The current project builds on the earlier direction while incorporating updated traffic, environmental, shoreline and engineering work.
The City held a Public Information Centre on May 28th, 2025, where two concepts were presented. The proposed one-way concept received the stronger response, with feedback highlighting traffic calming, more public space at the T-Warf and improved walking and cycling connections.
Concerns raised through the consultation included parking, potential traffic on neighbouring streets, maintaining mature trees and balancing shoreline planting with views of the lake.
(courtesy city of peterborough)
How Much Will It Cost?
The project is currently estimated at $7 million, although that is only a preliminary figure and will be refined through detailed design.
The City has applied for federal funding through the Active Transportation Fund, which could cover up to 60 per cent of eligible active transportation construction costs if the application is successful.
The City has already pre-committed $2.66 million toward the project through the 2025 Budget for 2026. That funding could serve as the City's 40 per cent contribution toward eligible project costs.
Additional funding, if required, would be requested through the 2027 Budget process.
proposed corridor north of romaine street (rendering (courtesy city of peterborough)
