June 3, 2024

EXPECT SUMMER OF DISCONTENT AS BAY & BEYOND BEGINS ROAD CLOSURES TONIGHT

GRAVENHURST — As the start of major Bay & Beyond road work begins today on James Street and with the closing of the main east-west artery through town here Wednesday, the closure and ensuing confusion and chaos about to erupt has commuters still concerned.

Bay Street (Hwy. 169) is closing Wednesday and work commences overnight on James Street, which will be totally closed for 12 hours from 7 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday for repairs and some resurfacing.

Phase one will last until close to Christmas, followed next summer the rest of the way up Bay to the main street. And in year three down to Gull Lake.

We took a drive down the James Street alternative route late last week to assess the current road and to do a condition report. We will then compare it next week when traffic is re-routed around the Muskoka Wharf.

SEE VIDEO DRIVE BELOW …

Let us know if you have any problems and concerns this summer and during the three-year phased project from Muldrew Lake up Bay Street and down Brock Street to Gull Lake Rotary Park — as we will be following it and doing regular updates on the progress of the project. Email us at [email protected] and enter Bay & Beyond in subject field.

According to the latest from the district and town:

James Street will be fully closed overnight on June 3 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for resurfacing and road improvements by lead contractor Tristan Construction.
Single lane closures on James Street will occur during the week while new paint markings and adjustments are made to James Street and the James St./Muskoka Rd. intersection at the Canadian Tire gas bar.
By the end of the week, Bay and Beyond will enter the first phase of construction and the James Street detour route will be in effect.
Bay Street will be fully closed between Steamship Bay Rd., N. Muldrew Lake Rd. and the east entrance of Muskoka Wharf (908 Bay Street).

Also in the lead up to this week:

Oza Inspections staff have been conducting voluntary inspections to assess the state of properties should any damage be done during construction.
New red flashing lights have been installed on two stop signs at James and John streets.
The surfacing of James St. will be completed overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday, June 3 (weather dependent) to reduce daytime disruptions. Single lane closures controlled by flaggers can however be expected throughout the start of the week as work outside of the resurfacing operations is completed to accommodate the upcoming detour.
At the end of this week, Bay Street will be fully closed between the Steamship Bay Rd./N. Muldrew Lake Rd. intersection and the east entrance (908 Bay St.) of the Muskoka Wharf. All traffic including large trucks will be directed to use the James St. detour route.