Construction will begin on the Bay and Beyond project this spring.
Bay and Beyond is a partnership infrastructure improvement project with the District of Muskoka and the Town of Gravenhurst, and includes a nearly 2-kilometre stretch from Steamship Bay Road to Gull Lake Park.
The project design involves new underground pipes, roadway improvements, enhancing pedestrian safety, and creating more opportunities for active transportation.
Bay and Beyond’s stated mission is “a commitment to safeguarding the critical services we depend on every day”.
80-year-old roads, water and sewer pipes at the end of their useful life will be replaced, to ensure continued essential services and avoid a ‘break/fix’ approach as the assets continue to deteriorate.
Also among its plans, Bay and Beyond will connect Gull Lake Park, Gravenhurst Wharf, and the downtown community.
Planned improvements include:
- Creating more opportunities for active transportation
- New multi-use trail from North Muldrew Lake Road to the Gravenhurst Farmers’ Market
- New, improved parking area to better accommodate the busy Farmers Market
- Upgrades to the Steamship Bay, Muskoka Road North/South, and Bethune intersections – traffic signals and enhancements to accessibility
- New pedestrian crosswalk downtown at Sharpe Street and Muskoka Road South
- New street lights from Cherokee Lane to Greavette Street
- New, smooth driving surfaces
- Replacement of sidewalks and curbs
- Replacement of the 80-year-old water pipes, water mains, storm and sanitary sewers underground – to keep Gravenhurst connected.
Construction is being planned in phases, set to begin in 2024 with a completion date in 2026.
A Community Information Session for the Bay and Beyond project was held on December 14, 2023.
Project details, maps, and detour routes will be available in the coming months.