Construction Update: February 9, 2021
February 9, 2021: Diggin' Downtown - Construction Update
The “Diggin’ Downtown” project will commence March 1, 2021, to address aging underground water and sewage infrastructure. Directional signage and equipment will be moved onsite with the anticipated road closure on Main Street from the Muskoka River Swing Bridge to West Street. The Diggin’ Downtown project will consist of a total of 5 Stages with the first 4 Stages of construction spanning an estimated 8 months this year and a final Stage to wrap up all construction activities in the spring of 2022.
Stage 1 restrictions will be in place from March until the end of May and will concentrate on work to the Muskoka River Swing Bridge, and underground water and sewer replacement along Main Street and River Street.
Stage 1 – Road Closures - Map
- Active construction will take place on Main Street from the Muskoka River Swing Bridge to Brunel Road
- Active construction will take place on the Muskoka River Swing Bridge
- Active 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 only, and will be closed to traffic
Stage 1 - Detour Routes - Map
- Westbound and eastbound traffic will detour north of the construction area – 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
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
During construction downtown, all businesses will remain open. Pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout all project stages.
The project includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Swing Bridge repairs and rehabilitation
- New swing bridge driving surface
- New sanitary system
- New storm system
- New and upgraded watermains
- New traffic signals
- New traffic lights
- New pedestrian crossings
- New sidewalks
- New landscape features
- New road alignment and parking configurations
- New road surface
- New Town Hall ramp
