Contact(s)
Geoff Carleton, Director of Public Works
The Public Works Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the municipal infrastructure. The department delivers a wide range of services and large capital works projects, including road construction and maintenance.
We work with the District Municipality of Muskoka and the provincial government in maximizing our resources to provide the best service to the residents of Bracebridge.
Public Works staff can be seen working in every aspect of community life in areas involving the maintenance of parks, public buildings, storm sewers, and summer and winter maintenance of our road and sidewalk network.
The Department emphasizes value and quality and adapts to manage changes in our Town to constantly improve operations.
Bridges |
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The Town of Bracebridge's 15 bridges and 4 large culverts with a span of 3 metres of more are inspected by qualified structural engineers every second year as prescribed by the Ontario Regulation 104-97 or as directed by the structural engineer. These inspections ensure all bridges and large culverts are in a safe condition.
The Town's structural engineers through regular inspections make recommendation to close structures as structural and public safety concerns arise:
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Engineering |
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The Engineering division is responsible for the planning, design and inspection for both capital works and maintenance projects. Other related activities include:
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Parks Operations |
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Public Works is responsible for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, improvement and operation of the Town's park facilities, playgrounds, sporting fields and trail system as well as Town beautification projects and gardens, street planters, hanging baskets and street trees. View our Municipal Parks page |
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Public Transit |
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The system provides citizens and visitors of Bracebridge a reliable and courteous transportation system in clean, safe and accessible vehicles, recognizing individual passengers needs and requirements. We offer an environmentally-conscious way to get around town, affordable rates, a regularly scheduled route, and a conventional and mobility service that travels the urban core of Bracebridge. We service schools, shopping centres and major areas of Town. Visit more information, please visit Bracebridge Transit |
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Roads |
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The Town of Bracebridge 320 km road network is comprised of both paved and gravel surfaces servicing urban and rural areas. Road maintenance programs are delivered to provide a safe driving environment, maximize the life of a roadway and to minimize the long-term reconstruction costs. The Town of Bracebridge maintains all public roads within the Town, with the exception of provincial highways and some District roads, in accordance with District Municipality of Muskoka Standards, Province of Ontario regulated "Minimum Maintenance Standards" and present Town "Levels of Service". These standards and service levels ensure safe roads for all vehicles and pedestrian traffic within our municipality.
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Road Closures |
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Road closures are sometimes needed because of emergency repairs or planned road improvement projects. The Town is committed to re-opening roads as quickly as possible so that traffic can return to normal. To be notified of road closures and service disruptions on Bracebridge roads, subscribe to our news feed Road Closures. For more information, visit the Road Closures - News and Public Notices Page For information on seasonal road flooding, 2021 SEASONAL ROAD FLOODING NOTICES AND INFORMATION During a flood event, the Town of Bracebridge does not monitor private roads in the area. The Town advises residents and visitors to assume that private roads along waterfront areas that have flooded in the past or that are in low-lying areas may be impassible due to a flooding event. |
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Roundabouts |
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A roundabout is an un-signalized intersection with a centre island. These circular intersections improve road safety, manage increased traffic demand and help improve air quality by eliminating unnecessary stops and idling. A roundabout is located at the intersection of Taylor Road/Muskoka Road No. 42 and Cedar Lane in Bracebridge. |
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Sidewalks |
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Public Works oversees and maintains approximately 55 km of Town-owned sidewalks in order to ensure pedestrian safety. The Town undertakes an annual repair and construction program to ensure that sidewalks are in a good state of repair. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stormwater Management Systems |
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To manage the increased risks to flooding, erosion, watercourse health and aquatic life caused by stormwater runoff, the Town often requires developers to construct stormwater management ponds to control stormwater runoff from their subdivisions. Upon assumption of the development, the Town starts maintaining the stormwater management ponds. The Town maintains 15 stormwater management systems and role in pond maintenance includes:
Residents should abide by the following guidelines:
SWM systems are approved for construction by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) who issue an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for their construction based on the submission of engineered drawings. SWM systems include works such as storm sewers, manholes, catchbasins, sediment forebays, dry ponds, wet ponds, oil and grit separators, headwalls and overflow spillways, etc. The SWM systems are located in residential, commercial and institutional developments throughout the Town of Bracebridge. Public Works inspects the SWM systems annually as mandated by the MOECC. Maintenance work is completed as required to ensure the various SWM systems operate as intended. The Town does not maintain SWM facilities on private property. |
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Storm Sewers and Drainage Assessments |
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The Public Works Department operates and maintains the storm drainage infrastructure throughout the Town of Bracebridge. Maintenance activities include culvert replacements, catchbasin cleaning, storm sewer construction, flushing, video camera inspections and spot repairs, etc. Complete replacements, if necessary, are normally undertaken concurrently with road reconstruction projects. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Street Lights |
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Street light maintenance and installation provide an overall safe environment for vehicles and pedestrians during periods of diminished light or darkness. Lighting on roadways and walkways is maintained by Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd. on behalf of the Town of Bracebridge.
Common street light maintenance issues include:
To report concerns with street lighting, contact Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd at 705-789-5442. Please take note of the exact location and be specific with the street it is on, cross streets, the address or building it fronts and any light pole identification numbers. |
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Traffic Management |
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Traffic CalmingKeeping Bracebridge streets safe is a priority for the Town and using measures to "calm" the traffic is one way of achieving this. Traffic calming is a term used to describe a combination of mostly physical features that are intended to reduce vehicle speeds, alter driver behaviour and improve safety conditions for everyone who uses the street. There are many methods of traffic calming and some of the most common types of traffic calming measures are:
The Traffic Calming Policy includes a process to review all requests received by residents and outlines the appropriate conditions for the installation of traffic calming measures.
Traffic and Pedestrian SignalsTraffic control signals, including those directing vehicles and pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks, are necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles and pedestrians. In an effort to meet this task, it is essential that signals be functional and efficient at all times. These signals are owned and maintained by the District Municipality of Muskoka. To report signal problems, contact the Engineering and Public Works Department - District Municipality of Muskoka |
Residents with concerns or inquiries regarding any public works service listed above are encouraged to contact the department at 705-645-5264 for help, direction and advice.
If you have an after-hours emergency, please call 705-645-5264. You will be connected with the on-call operator.