At the February 28 General Committee meeting, councillors voted in favour of a staff recommendation that would see part of Gun Club Road upgraded by HLD in exchange for an exemption during the half-load season.
The 620 metres of the road would be upgraded from high float to asphalt at a cost to HLD, after the half-load season ends.
Brandon Hall, Civil Engineering Technologist for the Town, explained that there are three electrical, construction and aggregate commercial establishments on that residential stretch of the road. “These establishments have heavy trucks and large equipment that are a vital part of their business operations and business survival,” stated Hall in his report to the committee.
In his report, Hall also noted that Madill Church Road from Highway #11 to the Town of Huntsville Public Works Yard at 169 Madill Church Road, is already half-load exempt. “Should this request be approved, this would allow the three establishments to travel west on Gun Club Road, then South on Madill Church Road to reach Highway #11, where there are no load restrictions.”
Hall further noted that in 2022, the Town of Huntsville Manager of Operations entered into a similar maintenance agreement with Fowler Construction to upgrade Williamsport Road from Muskoka Road 3 to Whies Pit Lane.
“The agreement was structured in a way that saw the half load road sign moved to the east side of Whites Pit Lane, allowing Fowler Construction Company Limited to travel with heavy loads over this existing section of road during the half load season.”
Hall added that during the 2022 half-load season, Fowler was responsible for maintenance and any damage to that section of Williamsport Road. “Once the half load season was over, Fowler Construction Company Limited upgraded that section of Williamsport Road to a standard identified within the Maintenance Agreement … where upon completion to the satisfaction of the Town of Huntsville, became permanently half load exempt.
In his report, Hall also noted that the Town’s 2024 roads capital budget includes $201,300 for upgrades to that section of the roads. “Entering into an agreement with HLD Muskoka for the maintenance and upgrade of this section of road would be beneficial to the Town of Huntsville and taxpayers due to the fact that the funds that were allocated for road reconstruction on this section of the road in the 2024 Budget would be reduced by the contribution from HLD Muskoka,” although Hall noted that future costs will increase in order to bring the remainder of the road to the same asphalt standard.
Should the request be ratified at the next council meeting, an amendment to the Town’s bylaw will be made to provide half-load exemptions on a permanent basis from 114 Gun Club Road to Madill Church Road; Williamsport Road from Muskoka Road #3 to Whites Pit Lane, and 169 Madill Church Road to Old Ferguson Road.
You can find Hall’s full report, HERE
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