STAGE 2 BAY & BEYOND WORK SET TO BEGIN IN GRAVENHURST, AS $10 MILLION TOWN/DISTRICT ROAD CONTRACT DOESN’T YET INCLUDE FINAL STAGE 3 PHASE TO GULL LAKE
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.comGRAVENHURST — Bay Street used to be the nicest street in town a few years back.
Recent restoration of the road should bring it back up to that standard.
Evidence of major spring maintenance is appearing on boulevards alongside this week as year three of the Bay & Beyond water, sewer and storm water infrastructure project continues.
After the first two years proceeding up from the Steamship Bay Road/North Muldrew Lake Road intersection to Sarah Street, work on the final phase was commencing this week as long, yellow pipes have been dropped curbside for installation by the end of the year.
Though there has been no sign of any workers or digging underway as of Wednesday.
However gas and utility locates have taken place with little red and yellow flags popping up in front of affected homes and businesses up and down the major westbound traffic corridor through the Gateway to Muskoka community.
Major construction, including the closing of another section of Bay Street, between Sarah Street and Muskoka Road South, is scheduled to start in June.
In May, crews will install temporary water services to minimize disruption during construction. This work will require occasional intersection closures.
In June, Bay Street will be fully closed from Sarah Street to Muskoka Road South to allow underground work to be completed safely and efficiently.
James Street will remain an alternative detour route to Muskoka Road; as will Brown Street at Greavette Street to the main street.
This as the District of Muskoka made clear this week that this last stage from Sarah to just west of the main street — Muskoka Road — will be its end destination for now.
This after original plans were said to see the underground and road surfacing continue farther east to Gull Lake.
But now it seems that last leg link won’t be proceeding just yet.
According to Brandon McKenzie, the district’s manager of infrastructure and engineering, “work extending from the end of the current contract limits to Bethune Drive, identified as Stage 3, remains in planning and design, it has not yet been tendered,” he confirmed in an email today in response to questions from MuskokaTODAY.com.
And regarding the $10 million district price tag?
McKenzie added the contracts have been awarded for Stage 1 and Stage 2 (construction from the Steamship Bay Road/North Muldrew Lake Road intersection to the current contract limit west of Muskoka Road).
He said, “as outlined above, the remaining portion of work (Stage 3 to Bethune Drive) was not included in the original contracted amount for the current work.”
Stage 2 stops on the west side of the Bay Street/Muskoka Road intersection.
And also that no construction activities will take place within the Muskoka Road and Bay Street intersection or east of the current contract limit at the Canada Post office intersection at Brock Street.
Work to be done end of 2026
A district release last Friday, May 8, said work is scheduled to restart as early as the week of May 11 and be completed by the end of 2026.
Work was also supposed to be completed on Stage 1 by the end of 2024. However paving concerns by the district required the tearing up and complete repaving of a second of Stage 1.
That contributed to work being delayed over winter till the following year after first ending at Greavette Street before proceeding to Sarah Street this pas fall of 2025.
The project is in partnership with the Town of Gravenhurst.
Trisan, the general contractor, was scheduled to begin site set-up for the next stage of the project as early Monday this week, May 11.
This multi-year, phased construction partnership project began in 2024 and spans approximately 1.9 kilometres.
It includes:
- Replacing underground pipes from 1944 to help ensure reliable access to clean drinking water, and upgrading wastewater and stormwater management
- Improving the road structure
- Enhancing pedestrian safety
- Creating more opportunities for active transportation
Gas and utility locates have taken place and temorary water services pipes have been stockpiled to be installed in May.
Traffic impacts:
- James Street will remain an alternative detour route to Muskoka Road; as will Brown Street at Greavette Street to the main street.
- A detour map is available. Signs will guide drivers and pedestrians safely through the area.
- Municipal 511 will be updated to help keep Google Maps and Waze current.
Delays may occur due to unforeseen conditions the district says.
It will provide advance notice where possible.
Residents and travellers can visit www.engagemuskoka.ca/bayandbeyond to sign up for project updates or submit comments or questions.
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