Diggin' Downtown Huntsville

August 20, 2021 - (Huntsville, ON) –The underground and aboveground streetscape transformation continues in historic downtown Huntsville. While the Diggin’ Downtown project has experienced setbacks due to aging service connections and continuous heavy rainfall, project partners have established a new construction schedule and added an additional construction crew on-site to minimize delays.

The Stage 2 completion goal has been set for mid-September, and completion for Stage 3 is anticipated mid-November. The additional crew will assist in reaching these goals and some shifts may continue into the evening hours and weekends. Partners recognize the importance for businesses and residents to be notified of evening and weekend construction scheduling. Every effort will be made to notify those affected by these schedule changes where appropriate.

Current road closures and established detour routes will remain in effect until Thanksgiving.

What’s Next

Underground utility replacements will impact the Centre Street and Main Street intersection as we move up the street. Staff understand this busy intersection connects communities from each direction - traffic studies and detour routes are being investigated, to keep traffic moving around the area. Staff will better understand timing and traffic impacts after reviewing the progress made this summer. Work will be expedited in this area to reduce disruption and reopen this intersection to normal operations as quickly as possible.

Schedule Update

The Diggin’ Downtown project is approximately four to six weeks behind schedule. Crews are working to complete the majority of the Diggin’ Downtown project by mid-November of this year and beginning Stage 4 (Centre Street to Lorne Street) in early 2022. Project partners are optimistic Diggin’ Downtown can get back on track with the additional crew on-site for the remainder of the summer.

Anticipated Timeline: As of August, 2021

• Stage 1 – Substantially complete
• Stage 2 – Now until mid-September
• Stage 3 – Now until mid-November
• Stage 4 – 2022

The Diggin’ Downtown project team will be releasing a Community Information Session (CIS) video next week available at Huntsville.ca and EngageMuskoka.ca, highlighting accomplishments so far, key contacts and more information on what our community can expect to see in the next couple of months.

Project Reminders

Downtown Huntsville remains open for business. Although the construction zone is closed to vehicles, pedestrian access remains open and accessible - there’s plenty of parking and many exciting promotions happening downtown.

- Summer is in full swing – and Downtown Huntsville is busy. Motorists are reminded to take caution near intersections and on detour routes and please yield to pedestrians.

- Boaters are reminded that water levels remain high, please be cautious and ensure the height of your boat canopies fit under the swing bridge – signs are in place to provide advance warning.

- Traffic studies continue on various intersections throughout the project – timing is being adjusted based on peak times and monitored throughout each Stage

- Downtown Huntsville remains accessible for pedestrians, and all businesses in the construction zone are open following COVID-19 protocols.

To stay in the know regarding construction news, timelines, detour information, maps and resources for the duration of the project visit Huntsville.ca/diggindowntown.

Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to ask questions on EngageMuskoka.ca/Huntsville-downtown-streetscaping.

Background:

Diggin’ Downtown construction began in March 2021 to address aging underground water and sewage infrastructure. Replacing the infrastructure also created an opportunity to improve the pedestrian experience with new sidewalks and streetscape elements to provide a more attractive and accessible downtown, including a smooth new driving surface.

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JOINT MEDIA RELEASE - May 25, 2021

Huntsville’s Diggin’ Downtown Stage 2 Road Closures Start Early June

The Diggin’ Downtown Huntsville project is getting ready to enter Stage 2 of construction in the upcoming weeks. Main Street will be closed to traffic from Brunel Road to Centre Street including King Street, for Stage 2 work.

Upgrades and repairs to the driving surface on the swing bridge are almost done. In early June, the bridge will be open to traffic and pedestrian access will remain open at all times. Repair work will continue on the underside of the swing bridge and sidewalk railings, but will not impact vehicular traffic over the bridge. Access to River Street will be closed until the bridge work is completed as this road surface will be used as a storage area for bridge equipment.

Some Stage 1 restoration work may continue during this time to allow crews to finalize sidewalk work including tree planting, installing the Brunel traffic signals and lamp posts. Staff are working with partners and vendors who continue to experience material and supply chain delays due to the pandemic – however they are optimistic this will not impact the schedule for opening the roadway to vehicular traffic.

Community Information Session
The Town of Huntsville and District of Muskoka will be hosting a Community Information Session via Zoom on Wednesday, June 2 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to provide the community with updates on the project. Those interested in attending the session or submitting questions in advance, are encouraged to visit Huntsville.ca to register. Zoom meeting invitation details will be sent to registrants prior to the session. The session will be recorded and available on online for viewing at any time.

Stage 2 - What’s Happening
Starting early June:

• 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

Stage 2 - Road Closures and Detour Routes
Starting early June:

• Main Street closed from Brunel to Centre Street.
• Active construction zone from Brunel to West Street
• Passive construction zone from West to Centre Street (Section closed for material storage)
• King Street 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 with pedestrian access available to the sidewalks
• Pedestrian crossing will be available at the bridge

Diggin' Downtown construction began in March 2021 to address aging underground water and sewage infrastructure. Replacing the infrastructure also created an opportunity to improve the pedestrian experience with new sidewalks and streetscape elements to provide a more attractive and accessible downtown, including a smooth new driving surface.

The project consists of five stages in total. Stages 1 to 4 are planned in 2021, with Stage 5 wrapping up all construction activities in the spring of 2022. Accessibility will be maintained downtown Huntsville during construction. All businesses will remain open following COVID-19 protocols.

To stay in the know regarding construction news, timelines, detour information, maps and resources for the duration of the project visit Huntsville.ca/diggindowntown. Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to ask questions on EngageMuskoka.ca.

Diggin’ Downtown, Huntsville’s Streetscape project is funded in part by the Federal Gas Tax Fund. The Town of Huntsville is using $606,952 of Federal Gas Tax Funds for the Main Street Project.

Water Outage Notice – Planned Water Interruption for Stage 1 Properties

Issued April 20, 2021: There is a planned temporary shut down of water service to the properties in the Stage 1 construction zone during the week of April 26, 2021, so that upgrades to the service connections can be made.

Crews will be in contact with property owners directly and will give 48 hours notice before the water is turned off. Thank you for your cooperation and patience. Please connect with John Miller at John.Miller@ca.crh.com if you have concerns or questions. A copy of the notice can be found here.

Joint Media Release Date: April 7, 2021

(HUNTSVILLE, ON) Huntsville’s Diggin’ Downtown is underway and crews have been busy working on Stage 1 of the Main Street construction from the swing bridge to West Street over the past month. Together, the Town of Huntsville, District of Muskoka and Huntsville BIA are continually working to ensure open communication with residents and businesses during construction.

Tell Us How We’re Doing – Surveys Open until April 16, 2021

We want to know how we’re doing with communication overall and signage on the detour routes so far. Our community is encouraged to share their thoughts and feedback on what is working well and what could use improvement as Stage 1 construction continues. Please visit engagemuskoka.ca and complete our Community Survey or Business Survey and tell us how we’re doing so far.

What’s Happening
Last week, we removed concrete, replaced bridge expansion joints and placed scaffolding in preparation for painting the swing bridge, installed catch basins and started the removal and replacement of sanitary sewers on River Street. This week and next, we’re concentrating on continuing the sanitary sewer installation on River Street and preparing the south side of the swing bridge for painting.

Intersection Timing Update
Work to improve the traffic signals and advance turning movements at the intersection of West Rd. and Centre St. has started this week and is expected to be completed by the end of next week. OPP will be at the intersection on April 8 at 9 a.m. to direct traffic while the traffic lights are upgraded and the signal replacement is completed. There will be increased delays in the area. We ask residents to be patient as we work to get this new hardware installed and operating correctly.

Parking / Business and Pedestrian Access Open
Parking remains available at the River Mill and High Street public parking lots as well as at the RBC parking lot and throughout side streets in downtown Huntsville. Residents are encouraged to plan their downtown trip in advance and discover parking available closest to their favourite shop, service or restaurant by using the interactive parking map on Huntsville.ca. Pedestrian access remains open across the bridge and throughout downtown. Businesses remain open and access will remain available throughout all construction stages.

For more information please visit Huntsville.ca/diggindowntown

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JOINT RELEASE - Read the update on our website.

(Huntsville, ON) We’re getting ready to start Diggin’ Downtown Huntsville with road closures for construction starting this week.

River Street will be fully closed starting Wednesday, March 10 to allow crews to move machinery into the construction zone. Full Stage 1 road closures and detours start the morning of Friday, March 12, 2021 and will continue until the end of May 2021. Dufferin Construction crews will begin to install fencing along the Main Street to secure the Stage 1 construction zone, impacting some parking spaces.

The Diggin’ Downtown project is made up of 5 construction stages. Stages 1-4 will span an estimated 8 months this year, with the fifth and final stage in the spring of 2022 to wrap up all construction activities. All downtown businesses will remain open during construction, and pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout all project stages.

Stage 1 restrictions will be in place 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 to Brunel and River Street.

Stage 1 – Road Closures – Friday, March 12, 2021 to End of May, 2021

• 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

• 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

The Town of Huntsville in coordination with partners have created the website page Huntsville.ca/diggindowntown to be the community’s source for construction news, timelines, detour information, maps and resources to assist residents, businesses and organizations for the duration of the project.

The Town of Huntsville and the District of Muskoka will continue to keep the community informed regarding the construction project at Huntsville.ca/diggindowntown and EngageMuskoka.ca and through all project partner social media accounts.

Diggin’ Downtown, Huntsville’s Streetscape project is funded in part by the Federal Gas Tax Fund. The Town of Huntsville is using $606,952 of Federal Gas Tax Funds for the Main Street Project.

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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