Lakeshore Roads and Shoreline Protection Project

In 2022 and 2023, The Town of Lincoln completed two Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) studies to develop long-term solutions to address continued flooding and erosion damage along the Lake Ontario shoreline between Thirty Road and Victoria Avenue. High water levels and isolated flooding events since 2017 have eroded the shoreline and damaged the roads along it significantly.

In addition to needing a solution to halt the long-term erosion of the Lake Ontario shoreline, the affected roadways along it provide access to private property as well public viewing areas of the lakefront and as such are critical to maintain to ensure safe access is available for residents, visitors, and emergency services. Together, the EA studies recommended various solutions to remediate areas along the shoreline and either repair or relocate five local roads including Lakeshore Road, Lakeside Drive, Sandy Cove Drive, Thirty Road and Verity Lane.

Project Description

Both EA’s have produced a preferred solution and the project will be designed and constructed in phases as planned out in the phasing schedule below.

Proposed Construction Improvements
 

• Road Relocation
• New rural lighting
• Drainage
• New driveway locations
• Shoreline protection
• Tree planting

The project will align with several of the Town’s plans, including:

• Council priorities for a future-fit Lincoln
• Lincoln's Pathway to Prosperity. Economic Development Strategy and Plan
• Lincoln's Official Plan
• Transportation Master Plan
• Active Transportation Master Plan

Property values are assessed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Property values are based on several criteria, and modifications to properties may or may not have significant impact on property values.

At this time, it is unknown whether the Preferred Alternatives will or will not have impacts on property values. MPAC property assessment updates are not expected until 2024.

The Town of Lincoln has a responsibility to provide safe and sustainable access to shoreline while not significantly impacting the environment. Through our extensive EA processes, the Town has determined Preferred Alternatives that take many factors into account and not to benefit one particular residence.

Along the approximately 7km of roads which are primarily privately owned, there have been several issues relating to shoreline protection which have lead to requiring the EA processes.

Community engagement and input is very important to the Town of Lincoln. Extensive public consultation has taken place on this project, including liaising with more than 200 stakeholders as part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) process.

The Town is required to consider all components holistically when determining a Preferred Solution, as regulated by the Provincial government’s EA Process. This process is designed to remove political influence from the decision-making. In addition to resident comments, the preferred alternative and detail design will be finalized with the holistic consideration of several criteria including:

• environmental and hydrological impacts;  
• planning policies, regional policies;
• socio-economic impacts;*
• emergency access;
• traffic safety; 
• impacts to property lands;
• impacts to agricultural lands;
• greenhouses and operations;
• impacts to septic beds; and
• high lifecycle and property costs.

*Public input is incorporated into the socio-economic criterion.

The Town of Lincoln has spent almost $2 million on emergency, temporary repairs on private property, and through life cycle costing, the Town has determined that the cost of inaction will be greater than funding solutions to protect the shoreline.

Funding a shoreline protection program in fact protects taxpayer dollars by providing a long-term solution to shoreline erosion and the impacts of climate change, and demonstrates accountable, responsible government.

The Town is also working with partners, for example the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, to lobby for private funding that residents can apply for to ensure further shoreline protection on their properties. This is one of the ways we are seeking multiple avenues to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Proper turnarounds are required so that we can continue to access the area and provide necessary services. Vehicles that need access include emergency, waste and road/winter maintenance vehicles, as well as delivery trucks which require an adequate radius to safely turn around.

While the turnaround locations have been determined, specific details will be set at the design stage, and we will continue to work directly with impacted residents to consider everyone’s needs.

In most cases, property owners already own the lakeshore, while the Town only owns the asphalt portion of the road. Shoreline protection and maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. The Town is a part of the Great Lakes Commission, which is lobbying to both Canadian and Federal provincial governments to provide support for private property owners. As an extension of this project, further information on protection and mitigation alternatives will be provided to residents.