Kawartha Trans Canada Trail

History of East/West Rail Corridor -  City of Kawartha Lakes

In December of 2000, the Province of Ontario completed the acquisition of the abandoned railway corridor formerly owned by CN, which runs from Uxbridge to Corbyville.

A summary of the key events related to this section of the rail corridor are:

• 1858- Rail Line established
  
• 1988- CN Line Abandoned the line and removed the railway ties and no management of the line occurred
  
• 1988- Kawartha Rail Trails Organization formed based out of Peterborough viewed this line to be a significant contribution to recreation, tourism and local heritage.
  
• 1992- 1st Economic Study by Trent University for this rail trail- estimated $1.3m to $3.6m economic impact for area.
  
• 1994- Ontario Trails Council- became the lead agency for the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario- identified this section of rail trail as an important potential connection.
  
• 1999- Town of Lindsay Municipal Government passed motion endorsing the Trans Canada Trail through Lindsay.
  
• 2000- Province Ontario purchased line for possible future transportation, recreation and energy needs.
  
• 2000- Trans Canada Trail Ocean Water Relay Celebration occurred in Lindsay an area, it was a major tourism event using part of the rail trail. 
  
• 2001- Release of the final report by GSI Real Estate and Planning Advisors (Consultants) for the Ontario government. After a comprehensive public consultation process, rail corridor identified as a key Trans Canada Trail route and recommended cycling, walking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling as the recreational trail use.
  
• 2003- Subsequent to the GSI study the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Peterborough District Office) was given the responsibility to implement the recommendations in the study. A Rail/Trail Advisory Committee was established.
  
• 2004- 2nd Economic Study by PriceWaterhouse for the Trans Canada Trail Foundation was completed to estimate the economic impact of the Trans Canada Trail in Ontario. It was determined that provincially $2.4 billion would be generated and for this section (includes City of Kawartha Lakes) of the trail (Region 6) it was estimated over $400m.
  
• 2005- The Ontario Trails Council & Trans Canada Trail Ontario Director made a presentation to City of Kawartha Lakes Community Service staff for support to have the trail established. No action taken.
  
• 2005- Ontario Provincial Trail Strategy Released (October) and the Trans Canada Trail is given a Provincial Priority to be completed by 2010.
  
• 2006- The City Kawartha Lakes Trails Master Plan completed, the plan identified the Trans Canada Trail as a priority in the development of trails within the City of Kawartha Lakes.
  
• 2006-(January) Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources declared the rail line corridor surplus and subsequently it was released to the Ontario Realty Corporation for possible disposal.
  
• 2006- (January) 1st Friends of Trans Canada Trail meeting for the City of Kawartha Lakes was held with a mandate to retain ownership of this rail corridor and have a registered and operational TCT by 2010.