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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

Construction stages

Current stage 2 - summary

  • Stage 2 construction, detours and road closures are in effect until further notice
  • July 26, 2021 update: The project team anticipates the Diggin’ Downtown project is approximately 4 to 6 weeks behind schedule. Understanding and recognizing the impacts that these delays bring, the Town of Huntsville and District of Muskoka are working closely with Dufferin Construction crews to expedite progress and develop an updated construction schedule. Read the media release issued July 26, 2021
  • There will be an updated schedule and Community Information Session in mid-August to share more information on timelines

What's being done in stage 2

  • Underground water and sewer infrastructure replacement on Main Street in the area from Brunel to West Street
  • New sidewalks, boulevards and parking spaces with streetscaping elements
  • King Street streetscaping
  • Town Hall ramp

Pedestrian and boat access

  • Walking access to the downtown core will continue to be available
  • Pedestrian crossing will be available at the bridge
  • Boat traffic can continue to pass under the bridge

Road closures

  • Main Street closed from Brunel to Centre Street
  • Active construction zone from Brunel to West Street
  • Passive construction zone from West to Centre Street (for material storage)
  • King Street closed

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
  • River Street will remain closed to vehicular traffic

Stage 2 Main Street Construction Map. For alternate format contact marketing@huntsville.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 3

Estimated timeline

painted number 3 on asphalt

There will be an updated schedule and Community Information Session in mid-August to share more information on timelines.

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 3 Main Street Construction Map. For alternate version please contact marketing@huntsville.ca
Stage 4

Estimated timeline

painted number 4 on asphalt

There will be an updated schedule and Community Information Session in mid-August to share more information on timelines.

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 4 Main Street Construction Map. For alternate version please contact marketing@huntsville.ca
Stage 5

Estimated timeline

painted number 5 on asphalt

There will be an updated schedule and Community Information Session in mid-August to share more information on timelines.

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

Stage 5 Main Street Construction Map. For alternate version please contact marketing@huntsville.ca

Completed stages

Stage 1 - complete

Stage 1 Summary

painted number 1 on asphalt

  • Planned: March - early June, 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 Construction Updates Map. For alternate versions please contact marketing@huntsville.ca

Stage 1 detour map with pedestrian crossing

Stage 1 Construction Updates Map with pedestrian access details. For alternate versions please contact marketing@huntsville.ca

Stage 1 detour map "zoomed in"

Stage 1 Construction Updates Map, close up view. For alternate version of map please contact marketing@huntsville.ca

Who can I contact if I have questions?

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

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

 

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