What is the project?
Over the next three years, the Town of Gravenhurst will be taking on an infrastructure upgrade project known as the Bay and Beyond project. The project focuses on the reconstruction of a two-km portion of Muskoka Road 169 (Bay Street) aimed at replacing roadways, pathways, underground pipes and sewer systems that are 80 years old.
The Gravenhurst council recently approved $1.2 million in funding, coming from the town’s Community Reinvestment and Reserve Fund, as well as the Development Charges Reserve Fund.
Plans outlined on the project’s website include a new trail from North Muldrew Lake Road to the Gravenhurst Farmers’ Market, a new parking area to accommodate Farmers Market vendors and attendees, and new street lights from Cherokee Lane to Greavette Street. Upgrades are intended to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.
Pre-construction condition surveys have taken place, and during the week of May 27, detour signage and construction equipment will be prepared along James Street, with construction set to start the week of June 3. By June 5, Bay Street will be closed (weather permitting).
The project will take place over three stages and multiple phases and is expected to be completed by 2026. The first stage is currently in the works with phase one taking place over this spring and summer, and phase two following over the summer and fall. The initial work will take place along Bay Street and a map of the phases and detour routes can be found here.
Impacts
Along with gradual road closures, there will be restricted access to the Muskoka Wharf area. This has resulted in the following events being moved to Gull Lake Park for the 2024 summer.
The Vintage Boat Show scheduled for July 6 has been cancelled. While the Gravenhurst Triathlon takes place along the construction route, the race will go ahead on June 8-9. In a council meeting on May 14, Andrew Stacey, Director of Infrastructure Services said that construction will begin on the north side of the road, with the south side of the road remaining clear for the triathlon.
Heather Fraser, a business owner in the wharf, brought forward concerns held by other shop owners in the area about how construction will impact visitors to the wharf. Fraser stated that, along with road closures restricting access, events typically held in the area have been moved and will no longer draw customers to the local businesses. The Bay and Beyond project website says maintaining access to businesses is a priority, and that clear route signage to the wharf will be provided, with the Steamship Bay docks will remaining accessible at all times through Cherokee Lane. A “We Dig Gravenhurst” project, led by the Gravenhurst Economic Development Team, was also announced by the Director of Development services during the May 14 town hall meeting. The initiative aims to encourage visitors to the waterfront with activities during the week and on weekends such as movie nights, parasailing, the Water Ski Show and more. Further consideration to this matter will be considered in the June report to council.
What does this mean for me?
Cottagers travelling through Gravenhurst and along Muskoka Road 169 will experience interruptions and detours with construction set to begin June 3. Currently, preparation for construction is occurring. Crews are preparing signage and completing night work on the James Street detour route, including repaving the road and updating faded signage and paint lines for safety.
If you are looking to travel through Gravenhurst this summer along Muskoka Road 169, you will instead have to detour around, along James Street located off Muskoka Road North (Muskoka Road 18). The detour will continue down to North Muldrew Lake Road and reconnect with Muskoka Road 169 where you can continue your journey as normal. Traffic updates will be posted on the Town of Gravenhurst social media accounts and websites.
Related Story Property owners push back against plans for energy storage facility near Gravenhurst, Ont.
Related Story Awful cottage roads nominated by you (and the ones that made CAA’s worst roads list)
Related Story Gravenhurst to adopt No Mow May campaign this spring