Public Works

Bridges

The Town's structural engineers through regular inspections make recommendation to close structures as structural and public safety concerns arise:

• Black Bridge Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Schedule B - Project File
• Black Bridge Replacement - June 2020 to late Fall 2020
• Goltz Bridge on Ball's Drive from Highway 118 West to Covered Bridge Trail is closed due to bridge repairs.

Engineering

• preparing budgets
• reviewing and approving engineering drawings for development applications
• preparing RFP's, RFQ's and Tenders
• managing various engineering consultants retained by the Town

Parks Operations

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

Public Transit

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

Roads

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.

Who maintains the road?

Road Town District (MR) Provincial (MTO) Independent Highway 11       Highway 118 East       MR 117       MR 4 (Monck Road, Manitoba Street to Highway 141) MR 14 (Cedar Lane, Fraserburg Road)  MR 15 (Golden Beach Road, Santa's Village Road  MR 16 (Beaumont Drive, Ecclestone Drive) MR 17 (Muskoka Beach Road) MR 20 (Uffington Road) MR 37 (Cedar Lane, Entrance Drive, Manitoba Street) MR 42 (Taylor Road) MR 46 (Bonnie Lake Road) MR 50 (High Falls Road) MR 118 West (Ecclestone Drive, Wellington Street to Ziska Road)       Rural and Urban Town Roads       Seasonal Roads (May 1 - October 31)       Private Roads       Ministry of Transportation 511 - Traveller Information Service 1-800-268-4686 - MTO information, road conditions and closures 705-789-2391 or 1-800-255-7814 (Huntsville Area Office) District Municipality of Muskoka 705-645-6764 - Engineering and Public Works Department (Roads and Transportation Branch) Town of Bracebridge 705-645-5264 - Public Works Department

Road Construction

Salmon Avenue Extension The Town is proposing an extension of Salmon Avenue to Muskoka Road 118 West. As part of this, a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study has been completed as per the guidelines established by the Municipal Engineers Association. The Class EA included defining the problem, developing alternative solutions, assessing potential impacts and identifying the preferred solution which consists of: extend the existing Salmon Avenue to Muskoka Road 118 West to intersect opposite Westmall Road; utilize the existing right-of-way from Wellington Street to the TransCanada Pipeline Easement (deviating where necessary in consideration of the long term stable top of slope), beyond which the road should be aligned along the top of slope (West Alignment) to minimize property impacts; provide 1 travel lane per direction with a continuous centre turn lane; and construct a sidewalk on the north/east side, a 3 metre multi-use trail on the south/west side and bike lanes on both sides of Salmon Avenue. For more information: Salmon Avenue Extension - Notice of Study Completion Salmon Avenue Extension Municipal Class EA Phases 1 and 2 - Final Report

Reduced Load Limit Period

On an annual basis, the Town of Bracebridge implements a period of reduced loads during the spring thaw on a majority of the Town's road system. This is done in order to protect the road base from damage caused by wheel loads of heavy vehicles and to increase the life-cycle of municipal roadways. Pursuant to Section 122(7) of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.H.8 as amended, and in accordance with By-Law 2011-030, reduced loads on municipal roadways within the area municipality of the Town of Bracebridge shall commence at 12:01 a.m. on March 15, 2021. On Monday, May 10, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the reduced load limit period was lifted.

Road Closures

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.

Roundabouts

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.

Sidewalks

Stormwater Management Systems

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:

• Removal of sediments (as needed)
• Removal of debris in and around the pond 
• Maintenance of structures such as gates and valves
• Maintenance of surrounding vegetation and plants
• Vegetation replacement if required
• Bank stabilization to prevent erosion
• Pond monitoring

 Residents should abide by the following guidelines:

• Do not swim, wade, skate or boat within the stormwater pond
• Exercise safety around stormwater ponds, as conditions in the ponds can change rapidly, which can include fluctuating water levels and thin ice

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.

Storm Sewers and Drainage Assessments

Street Lights

Common street light maintenance issues include:

• Burnt out lights
• Flickering lights
• Lights left on throughout the day
• Damaged poles
• Opened lens

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.

Traffic Management

Traffic Calming

Keeping 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:

• Lane narrowing
• Speed humps
• Raised crossings
• Chicanes
• Bump outs
• Contrasting surfaces

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 Signals

Traffic 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