The District of Muskoka will be installing three new pedestrian crossings in Muskoka Lakes to make its roads safer and more accessible for all.
According to district officials, one pedestrian crosswalk will be installed in Port Carling, while two others will be built in Bala.
“Pedestrian crossings enhance walkability and the public realm as communities grow,” said James Steele, Commissioner of Public Works. “Crossings offer added comfort to pedestrians and vulnerable road users to cross key roadways, while maintaining efficient traffic flow on District Roads.”
In Port Carling, a pedestrian crossing with overhead signs and bright flashing lights will be installed on Muskoka Road 118 near Stephen Road. Construction is scheduled to start as early as June, and the pedestrian crossing is anticipated to be working by late summer.
In Bala, one of the crosswalks will be installed at the intersection of Gordon Street and Muskoka Road 169, while the other will be located at the intersection of Portage Street and Muskoka Road 169. Construction is scheduled to begin as early as June, with the pedestrian crossings expected to be operational by early fall.
District staff said construction of the two crosswalks in Bala is expected to take place in two phases to minimize community impacts. The initial excavation and installation of physical infrastructure is scheduled to begin in June and be completed by the end of summer.
Officials say that once the physical infrastructure is completed at the end of phase one, crews will install the control equipment to begin phase two.
Phase two is expected to take place in late summer or early fall. Officials said that at the end of this phase, the pedestrian signal will be activated and made available to the community.
District officials said that during construction, traffic disruptions are expected as there may be times when a lane is temporarily closed, and traffic will move through the area one direction at a time. Signs will be posted to guide drivers and pedestrians safely through the work zone.
