Road Construction and Closures

July 13 Update:

Work planned Week of July 13 to 17

Add slurry seal to the following area municipal roads:

• Bayview Road
• Old Mill Road
• South Gibson
• Issacs Bay Road
• Silver Sands
• Bear Lake
• Stewart Lake

Work completed Week of July 6 to July 10

Completed the following area municipal roads:

• King George Drive
• Six Mile Channel Drive
• Hillside Drive
• Treeline Court
• Huron Trail
• King Farms Road
• Causeway Drive
• Pratts Bay Road

Community impacts

Motorists may experience short delays as traffic is guided through the work zone using single-lane flagging.

July 13 Update:

Muskoka Road 12 (Cranberry Growers Road to Marina Road)

Work planned Week of July 10 to July 16

• Crews will continue roadside drainage work in several areas.
• Additional driveway culverts will be installed.
• Work will continue to strengthen additional damaged sections of pavement.
• Crews will continue pulverizing existing asphalt in preparation of the final stage of road work.
  

Work completed Week of July 3 to July 9

• Crews continued roadside drainage along MR12.
• Crews continued to clear brush along MR12.
• A new culvert was completed in a residential area to help water flow safely under the road.
• Multiple new driveway culverts were installed to improve roadside drainage.
• Work continued to strengthen additional damaged sections of pavement.
• Pulverizing of existing asphalt began along MR12.

Community impacts

• Motorists can expect single-lane closures during working hours.
• Temporary traffic lights may be used for overnight single-lane closures.
• There is no weekend impacts expected.
  
  

Muskoka Road 13 (Clipsham Road to Beiers Road)

Work planned Week of July 10 to July 16

• Crews will continue roadside drainage and tree brushing work in several areas.
• Additional driveway culverts will be installed.
• Road crossing culverts will be installed to assist with roadside drainage.

Work completed Week of July 3 to July 9

• Multiple driveway culverts were installed to improve roadside drainage.
• Tree brushing to help improve site lines and safety.

Community impacts

• Motorists can expect single-lane closures during working hours.
•  There is no weekend impacts expected.

Muskoka Road 12 July 6 Update: 

Work planned the week of July 6 to July 10

• Continuing roadside drainage improvements including installation of additional culverts and driveway culverts.
• Remaining brushing is expected to be completed
• Crews will continue to complete ground stabilization of the roadway to prepare for upcoming paving work

Work completed the week of June 29 to July 3

• Brushing along both sides of the road from Galla Lake Road toward Highway 400.
• New culverts completed in wetland areas
• Road raising and ground stabilization has been completed in specific areas.
  

Community impacts

• Single lane closures will continue during daytime construction hours
• Overnight single lane closures with temporary traffic lights may occur intermittently.
• No work is planned on weekends.

Muskoka Road 12 June 29 Update: 

Work planned the week of June 26 to July 10

• Ditch clearing and brush clearing will continue.
• Additional drainage culverts will be installed at road crossings along the corridor, including in wetland areas.
• Road raising and ground stabilization will be completed in specific areas.
• Road pulverization will begin.

 Work completed the week of June 19 to June 25

• Ditch clearing along the full length of the project.
• Brush clearing along both sides of the road from Galla Lake Road toward Highway 400.
• Several drainage culverts were installed at road crossings and private driveways along the corridor.

 Community impacts

• Single lane closures will continue during daytime construction hours throughout this period, including on Canada Day. [Internal note: Burnside to coordinate with the District and Moose Deer Point First Nations prior to any work taking place on Canada Day.]
• Overnight single lane closures with temporary traffic lights may occur intermittently.
• No work is planned on weekends.

Muskoka Road 12 June 22 Update:

Work planned the week of June 22 to June 26

• Ditch work will continue with two crews operating along the corridor.
• Crews will continue removing old culverts and installing new ones.
• Vegetation clearing between Galla Lake Road and Highway 400 is also planned, weather and scheduling permitting.

Work completed the week of June 15 to June 18

• Ditch work continued with two crews; one starting at the west end and working east, the other working west.
• Old culverts were removed, and new culverts were installed at several locations.

Community impacts

• Single lane closures will remain in place during working hours.
• Overnight single lane closures with temporary traffic lights are in effect from Monday evening, June 22 through to Friday morning, with no overnight impacts on weekends.
• Motorists can expect minor delays through the construction zone.

• Please note, crews are currently working on MR 12. Once work on this road is complete, they will move to MR 13 (Southwood Road) and MR 51 (Echo Lake Road)

Muskoka Road 12 June 15 Update:

Work Completed: June 8 to 12, 2026

• Ditch clearing and grading continued from the western end of the project eastward, with approximately 800 metres completed to date.
• Five culverts were removed and replaced at various locations along the corridor, including near Bloody Bay Road, the Transfer Station, and Harrison Trail.
• Sinkhole and shoulder damage caused by heavy rainfall was repaired.
• Frost protection work was completed on all newly installed culverts.

Work Planned: June 15 to 19, 2026

• Ditch clearing and grading will continue along the corridor.
• Four additional culverts will be removed and replaced at various locations.

Work Completed: May 27 to June 5, 2026

• Vegetation clearing began at the western end of the project and progressed eastward. All planned clearing work is now complete.
• Ditch clearing and grading began near Galla Lake Road and progressed westward.
• Four culverts were removed and replaced at various locations along the corridor.
• One entrance culvert replacement was completed.
• Frost protection work was completed on all newly installed culverts.

Work Planned: June 8 to 12, 2026

• Ditch clearing and grading will continue from the western end of the project eastward.
• Additional culvert removals and replacements will take place, along with frost protection work on newly installed culverts.

July 13 Update:

• Contractor will return to the site until the week of July 20.
• Once the contractor returns to site, they will focus finishing roadside restoration and installing air release valves on the newly installed forcemain.

Community impacts

• Upcoming work will require temporarily narrowing Meadow Park Drive, and the corner of Helen Street and Sunrise Road.
• Motorists may experience short delays as traffic is guided through the work zone using single-lane flagging.

July 6 Update:

Work planned week of July 6 to July 10

• Completion of boulevard restoration on Meadow Park Drive

Work completed June 29 to July 3

• No major construction work took place.

Community impacts

• Meadow Park Drive, Rogers Cove Drive, Sunrise Drive, and Helen Street are all open and accessible.

June 29 Update:

Work planned week of June 29 to July 3

• No major construction work is planned for this week.

Work completed June 22 to 25

• No major construction work took place.

Community impacts

• Impacts to residents remain minimal for residents, businesses, and motorists currently.
• Meadow Park Drive, Rogers Cove Drive, Sunrise Drive, and Helen Street are all open and accessible.
• Watermain improvements on Scott Street are tentatively scheduled to begin in July 2026.
• Upcoming watermain work will reduce traffic to a single lane on Scott Street.
• Businesses along Scott Street, including Tim Hortons, Keystone Convenience, and Shoppers Drug Mart, will remain open and accessible throughout construction

June 22 Update:

Work planned the week of June 22 to June 26

• Crews will return to the site this week.
• Watermain improvements on Scott Street are tentatively scheduled to begin in early July. Once work starts, Scott Street will be reduced to a single lane for the duration of that work.

Community impacts

• Impacts to residents, businesses, and motorists remain minimal at this time.
• Meadow Park Drive, Rogers Cove Drive, Sunrise Drive, and Helen Street are all open and accessible.

July 13 Update:

Work planned Week of July 10 to July 16

• Continued coordination with Ministry of Transportation Ontario for work along the Highway 60 corridor.
• No construction activity or impacts to Highway 60 traffic are expected this week.

Work completed Week of July 6 to July 10

• Completed field surveying.
• Site preparation continued.
• Continuing coordination with Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Community impacts

• Once permits are finalized, initial work will include installation of construction and traffic control signage on Highway 60.
• Business within the construction zone will remain open and accessible to customers throughout construction.
• Access to all residents will be maintained throughout construction.

July 6 Update:

Work planned the week of July 6 to July 10

• Pre-construction work will continue including acquiring work permits, surveying and finalizing a traffic control plan.

• No construction activity or impacts to Highway 60 traffic are expected this week.

Work completed week of June 29 to July 3

• Pre-construction work included site surveying, coordination with utility providers, documentation of groundwater monitoring wells.

Community impacts

• Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of July.  
• Once construction begins motorists should expect traffic control and temporary lane restrictions on Highway 60.
• Businesses in the construction zone remain open and accessible to customers.
• Access to all resident and business will be maintained throughout construction.

June 29 Update:

Work planned the week of June 29 to July 3

• Pre-construction work will continue including acquiring work permits, surveying and finalizing a traffic control plan.

• No construction activity or impacts to Highway 60 traffic are expected this week.

 Work completed week of June 22 to June 26

• Pre-construction work included site surveying, coordination with utility providers, documentation of groundwater monitoring wells.

Community impacts

• Construction is anticipated to begin in July.
• Once construction begins motorists should expect traffic control and temporary lane restrictions on Highway 60
• Businesses in the construction zone remain open and accessible to customers.
• Access to all residents will be maintained throughout construction

June 22 Update:

Work planned the week of June 22 to June 26

• Staging area preparation and material staging will continue.
• Work within the Highway 60 corridor will begin once the required Ministry of Transportation Ontario Encroachment permit is issued.

Work completed the week of June 15 to June 19

• Crews completed initial staging area.
  

Community impacts

• Residents and motorists may notice equipment, materials, and signage being staged on the north side of Highway 60 in preparation for construction.
• Once construction begins, motorists can expect possible lane restrictions on Highway 60. Advance notice will be provided before any traffic control measures are put in place.

July 13 Update:

Work planned Week of July 13 to July 17

• Complete scaffolding in southbound lane.
• Tarp installation and environmental protection ahead of the blasting and coating process.

Work completed Week of July 6 to July 12

• Began working in the southbound lane with traffic using the northbound lane.

Community impacts 
Weekend work will continue so crews can work to maintain the project schedule. 

July 6 Update:

Work planned week of July 6 to July 10

• Crews will begin to relocate scaffolding to southbound lane for sandblasting and coating work

Work completed week of June 29 to July 3

• Crews worked to remove enclosures and scaffolding from northbound lane while subcontractor performed paint touch-ups

Community impacts

• The single lane closure will be shifting to the south side of the bridge this week. Motorists should expect minor delays.

June 29 Update: 

Work planned week of June 29 to July 5

• Crews will remove the current enclosure, including tarps, scaffolding, and equipment.
• Work will shift to the southbound side of the bridge for the next phase of surface preparation and protective coating.

Work completed week of June 22 to 28

• Crews applied the topcoat of paint to the upper structural steel on the northbound side of the bridge.

Community impacts

• The single lane closure will be shifting to the south side of the bridge this week. Motorists should expect minor delays.

June 22 Update:

Work planned the week of June 22 to June 28

• Crews will complete the protective coating on the current section of the bridge.
• Scaffolding and enclosures will be removed once coating work is finished.

Work completed the week of June 15 to June 21

• Crews continued applying the protective coating to the current section of the bridge, completing the mid-coat sealer and beginning the topcoat.

Community impacts

• A single lane closure remains in place, with traffic alternating through the southbound lane. Signalized traffic control is ongoing.
• Flagging operations during school pick-up and drop-off hours will end as of June 25.
• The bridge rehabilitation is now expected to be completed in fall 2026. Crews are working weekends to keep the project on track.
• During the Ironman 70.3 event on Sunday, July 5, event organizers and OPP will direct traffic through the project detours.

June 15 Update:
Work Planned: June 15 to 21, 2026

• Coating work on the current section will be completed.
• Scaffolding and the protective enclosure will be removed from this section once coating is finished.

Work Completed: June 8 to 14, 2026

• Blasting sand was cleaned from the bridge deck and enclosure.
• Protective coating work continued on the current section of the bridge, including the application of a zinc-based primer and a mid-coat sealant.

April 7, 2026
April 10, 2026
April 14, 2026 - Flood Warning
April 17, 2026
April 23, 2026
May 1, 2026 - Morning Update
May 1, 2026 Afternoon Update
May 5, 2026
May 6, 2026
May 7, 2026
May 8, 2026
May 15, 2026
May 22, 2026
May 29, 2026
June 5, 2026
June 12, 2026

March 2 - Culvert Failing

April 19 - Water Level

April 20 - Water Level

April 22 - Water Level

New Culvert being built

May 5 - Culvert Built

May 5 - Craning in Culvert

May 5 - Culvert in Place 

May 8 - Single lane built

May 8 - Barriers installed

May 23 - North side concrete end wall, form installation

Q: How can I stay informed about the project's progress?
A: We'll provide regular updates to this web page. You can also contact us directly, at publicworks@muskoka.on.ca, if you have specific questions/concerns or would like to be added to the project email list.

Q: Why does the culvert need to be replaced?

A: During routine monitoring in late 2025, staff noticed settlement in the road surface. After conducting repairs and a thorough investigation, staff discovered a large section of the culvert had corroded beyond what can safely be repaired. The structure needs to be replaced to ensure the safety and reliability of Muskoka Road (MR) 2.

Q: Why is this work happening now?
A: This is an emergency project. The existing culvert is in critical condition and has been temporarily stabilized. It’s critical to have the replacement culvert in place before the spring 2026 freshet (the period of higher water levels that occurs with seasonal turnover). Waiting until later in the year would put the road and surrounding area at risk.

Q: How long will the road be closed?
A: The full closure is expected to last several weeks. The contractor is permitted to work seven days a week to complete the project as quickly as possible while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Q: Will the road be completely closed, or can I still get through?
A: The road will be fully closed at the construction site during the excavation and installation of the new culvert. After careful consideration, staff determined this is the safest and most efficient construction method. The contractor will reopen at least one lane of traffic as soon as it's safe and practical to do so.

Q: Can local residents still access their properties?
A: Yes, however access will depend on your property's location relative to the construction zone. If you have specific concerns about accessing your property, please contact us directly and we'll work with you to find a solution.

Q: What days and hours will construction take place?
A: Construction will be seven days a week during daylight hours. Mondays to Saturdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Some evening work may be needed.)

Q: Will there be noise and dust?
A: Yes, as with any construction project, there will be some noise and dust associated with excavation and installation work. Our crews will make every effort to minimize these impacts.

Q: Will my garbage/recycling collection be affected?
A: We've coordinated with solid waste collection services to adjust routes as needed. Please continue to put waste out on your regular collection day. We highly recommend downloading the free Muskoka Waste App on your phone or tablet so you can receive alerts if there are changes to collection.

Q: What about emergency services?
A: We've been working closely with emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) to ensure they can respond effectively during the construction period. Emergency response plans have been adjusted to account for the road closure.

Q: Will school bus routes change?
A: We've coordinated with local school boards regarding the closure. Parents should check with their school or bus service for any temporary route changes.

Q: Will this affect my water, hydro, or other utilities?
A: No, interruptions to utilities aren’t anticipated. If any temporary service disruptions become necessary, affected residents will be notified in advance.

Q: How can I stay informed about the project's progress?
A: We'll provide regular updates to this web page. You can also contact us directly if you have specific questions or concerns.

Q: Will there be any work after the culvert is installed?
A: Yes, after the new culvert is installed, we'll need to complete road restoration work, including rebuilding the road surface and shoulders. We'll keep you updated on this timeline as the project progresses.