Lanark County Council Highlights – December 10, 2025

Press Release – Lanark County  

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held December 10, 2025.

Transit Feasibility Report Received

Lanark County Council received a report on the transit feasibility study that explores the possibility of public transit for Lanark County and Smiths Falls, taking into account unique local travel needs, public and stakeholder engagement, best practices, challenges and opportunities, existing services, trip generators and travel demand patterns.

Council heard from Arcadis Project Director Mary-Lou Johnston and Transit Planner Adam Duhatschek about the study, who noted many rural communities experience a lack of consistent and efficient public transit options that make it difficult for residents to access services, employment and education. The report outlines existing services, such as Lanark Transportation, taxis, Flixbus, Rider Express and VIA Rail, and highlights challenges around booking, schedules, cost and limited connections to communities. It noted on-demand services have been successful in similar communities and can serve large, dispersed areas, whereas fixed routes need high-demand corridors with major communities as anchor points. 

Consultations included a public survey, pop-up sessions and a stakeholder workshop. The report indicates most respondents supported introducing an improved transit service and highlighted the need for better accessibility and connections to multiple communities, adding public transit services would allow for aging in place. 

Following its review of demographics, travel demand and stakeholder and public engagement, Arcadis is recommending an on-demand transit model, which:

• Services dispersed travel patterns more effectively than fixed route transit
• Allows for more complete coverage of rural and remote areas
• Allows for multiple directions of travel and flexibility in travel times
• Provides door-to-door service for seniors and residents with mobility limitations
• Allows for data collection about travel patterns and ridership to plan for growth

Arcadis outlined benefits of partnering with Lanark Transportation, which has confirmed its willingness to enhance and broaden service and takes advantage of existing experience and frameworks. They suggested potential service design and fare structures, and outlined costs, implementation needs and service monitoring. Council directed staff to bring recommendations from the report for further discussion to a future economic development committee meeting.

For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.

Purchase of New Roads Equipment Detailed

Lanark County Council received a cost-benefit analysis report on the purchase of two pieces of equipment included as part of the 2026 public works budget: a hydro excavation (hydro-vac) trailer unit and a shoulder spreader.

Public Works Director Sean Derouin explained the hydro-vac is used to instal and replace signposts, safely expose underground utilities and for culvert cleaning. He said with increasing underground utilities, there is a safety risk with conventional excavation, resulting in hydro-vac services being contracted more often. This has a high per-use costs, especially for small jobs, and there can be scheduling delays during peak construction months and limited availability during emergencies. Derouin indicated the capital cost of purchasing the hydro-vac is expected to be recovered within three to five years.

The shoulder spreader is used on shouldered roads across the county for rehabilitation, edge drop-off correction, surface re-profiling, seasonal maintenance to repair damage and for hot-mix and cold-mix patching to deteriorated edges. These services are currently completed either with limited internal equipment or with external contracts. There are few affordable options for small- or medium-sized repairs. Derouin said this creates a reactive rather than proactive maintenance approach, leading to increased or accelerated issues that result in higher long-term costs. He said annual savings are expected to exceed the purchase price within five to seven years.

Derouin added both pieces of equipment could be shared with local municipalities to help offset operating costs and improve regional infrastructure efficiency.

For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Upcoming Meetings

• County Council, Wednesday, January 14, 5 p.m.
• Community Services, January 14 (following County Council)
• Corporate Services, January 14 (following Community Services)
• County Council, Wednesday, January 28, 5 p.m.
• Public Works, January 28 (following County Council)
• Economic Development, January 28 (following Public Works)

Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like “LanarkCounty1” on Facebook and follow “@LanarkCounty1” on Instagram.