Construction Details and Detours

The “Diggin’ Downtown” project began March 2021 to address aging underground water and sewage infrastructure.

Road closures, detour routes and traffic congestion will have an impact on day-to-day routine and business operations. 

News

• Subscribe to the Diggin' Downtown Main Street Construction, news feed to get project updates
• Subscribe to Engage Muskoka for construction updates

What's happening 

The project is progressing on schedule:

• Crews are working on sidewalk removal and water and sewer infrastructure removal and replacement along Main St. from the swing bridge to West St.
• There will be no changes to detour routes or road closures as we move into the next Stage
• Pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout all project stages, following COVID-19 protocols

Construction stages

• Main Street and sections of downtown will be closed in stages to vehicle traffic throughout the project
• Construction will happen in five stages, noted below
• Note*: the following details are anticipated and may be subject to change

Stage 1 Summary

• Planned: March - End of May, 2021
• Starts: First week of March 2021 

What's being done in stage 1

• Muskoka River Swing Bridge upgrades, bridge rehabilitation and repairs, new bridge driving surface
• Underground water and sewer infrastructure replacement on Main Street from the Muskoka River Swing Bridge to Brunel
• Underground water and sewer infrastructure replacement on River Street from High Street to Main Street
• New sidewalks, boulevards and parking spaces with streetscaping elements

Pedestrian access

Walking access to the downtown core will continue to be available.

Construction zone

• Construction will take place on Main Street from the Muskoka River Swing Bridge to Brunel Road
• Construction will take place on the Muskoka River Swing Bridge
• Construction will take place on River Street from High Street to Main Street
• Main Street from Brunel Road to West Street will be used for the storage of construction material purposes, and will be closed to traffic.

Road closures

• Main Street closed from the Muskoka River Swing Bridge to West Street (March 12 - end of May 2021)
• River Street closed from High Street to Main Street (March 10 - end of May 2021)

View the Road Closure Map.

Detours

Detour routes, directional arrows and warning signage will be installed in advance, before roads are closed. 

• Westbound and eastbound traffic will detour north of the construction area for Stage 1 – Chaffey Street and West Road and Centre Street
•  Traffic travelling north or south will be directed between Brunel Road and Centre Street, along Veterans Way

Stage 1 detour map

Stage 1 detour map with pedestrian crossing

Stage 1 detour map "zoomed in"

Pre-condition surveys for residents/owners in construction area

• Dufferin Construction and their contractor OZA Inspections Inc., will be hand delivering pre-condition letters outlining options for property owners to take advantage of a pre-condition survey for their property
• Blasting may be required to take place as construction progresses. If blasting is required, a completed pre-condition survey for the property is favourable
• There is no charge for this pre-condition survey service. Should you have questions or concerns – please contact District of Muskoka at publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

Anticipated future stages

As details become available, the below stages will be updated.

Note*: the following details are anticipated and may be subject to change.

Stage 2

Estimated timeline Planned: June - End of July, 2021 What's being done in stage 2 Underground water and sewer infrastructure replacement on Main Street in the area from Brunel to Centre Street New sidewalks, boulevards and parking spaces with streetscaping elements King Street streetscaping Town Hall ramp Pedestrian access Walking access to the downtown core will continue to be available. Road closures Main Street closed from Brunel to Centre Street King Street Detours Detour routes, directional arrows and warning signage will be installed in advance, before roads are closed.  Westbound and eastbound traffic will be directed south of the construction area onto Brunel Road, Veterans Way and Centre Street Traffic travelling north or south will be directed between Brunel Road and Centre Street, along Veterans Way

Stage 3

Estimated timeline Planned: August - Mid-September, 2021 What's being done in stage 3 Underground water and sewer infrastructure replacement on Main Street in the area from West Street to Lorne Street New sidewalks, boulevards and parking spaces with streetscaping elements In-Water bridge and headwall works within the Muskoka River Pedestrian access Walking access to the downtown core will continue to be available. Road closures Main Street closed from West Street to Lorne Street River Street from High Street to Main Street Detours Detour routes, directional arrows and warning signage will be installed in advance, before roads are closed.  Eastbound traffic approaching the construction zone on Main Street will be directed south of the construction area onto Lorne Street, Minerva Street, Centre Street, Veterans Way, Brunel Road and back onto Main Street Westbound traffic approaching the construction zone on Main Street will be directed south of the construction area onto Brunel Road, Veterans Way, Centre Street, Caroline Street, Lorne Street and back onto Main Street Traffic travelling north or south will be directed between Brunel Road and Centre Street, along Veterans Way

Stage 4

Estimated timeline Planned: Mid-September - Mid-November, 2021 What's being done in stage 4 Underground water and sewer infrastructure replacement on Main Street in the area from West Street to Lorne Street New sidewalks, boulevards and parking spaces with streetscaping elements Pedestrian access Walking access to the downtown core will continue to be available. Road closures Main Street closed from West Street to Lorne Street Detours Detour routes, directional arrows and warning signage will be installed in advance, before roads are closed.  Eastbound traffic approaching the construction zone on Main Street will be directed south of the construction area onto Lorne Street, Minerva Street, Centre Street, Veterans Way, Brunel Road and back onto Main Street Westbound traffic approaching the construction zone on Main Street will be directed south of the construction area onto Brunel Road, Veterans Way, Centre Street, Caroline Street, Lorne Street and back onto Main Street Traffic travelling north or south will be directed between Brunel Road and Centre Street, along Veterans Way

Stage 5

Estimated timeline Planned: Spring - End of May, 2022 What's being done in stage 5 Road surface completed to top course asphalt including line painting All streetscape elements including all plantings Pedestrian access Walking access to the downtown core will continue to be available. Road closures Rolling closures between the Muskoka River Swing Bridge and Lorne Street Detours Detour routes, directional arrows and warning signage will be installed in advance, before roads are closed.  Dependent on the work area, westbound and eastbound traffic will directed north of the construction area onto Chaffey Street and West Road and Centre Street Dependent on the work area, westbound and eastbound will be directed south of the construction area onto Brunel Road, Veterans Way, Lansdown Street and Lorne Street Traffic travelling north or south will be directed between Brunel Road and Lorne Street along Veterans Way and Caroline Street

Who can I contact if I have questions?

If you have a question about this project, please continue to monitor:

• Frequently asked questions page for updates, as they become available
• Huntsville.ca/DigginDowntown main page for ongoing updates

Residents and businesses within the construction area can ask questions or share concerns:

• About the project: Ask a question on engagemuskoka.ca
• About living, working (including upcoming business deliveries), accessing residence or the downtown core: 
  John Miller, Dufferin Construction, john.miller@ca.crh.com, 705-795-2042

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