Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Public Information Centre, Feb. 16, 2010
The following link will provide the reader with access to a pdf that was prepared and presented by URS on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation at a Public Information Centre held in Gravenhurst on February 16, 2010. This will provide the reader with a broad understanding of the proposed changes to Highway 11 from Washago to Gravenhurst. Please read and get familiar with the proposal. http://www.highway11study.ca/pdf/Public%20Information%20Centre%201%20Displays.pdf
Monday, July 26, 2010
Alternate Route Proposal
The images attached, show the total study area for the re-alignment of Highway 11. Recently the Ministry of Transportation published four new alternate routes that could see Highway 11 swing east from the existing road bed and end up going through the Gull and Silver Lake area. These images will provide you with knowledge of what those proposed routes are.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Challenge
In response to a study currently underway by URS Consulting on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation, the Town of Gravenhurst is developing a response that will be focusing on the economic, personal and environmental impact of the proposed changes.
The URS study is to look at several options relating to the re-alignment of the Highway 11 road bed between the southern portion of Highway 169 (Washago) and the northern portion of Highway 169 (south entrance to Gravenhurst).The ultimate vision for this section of Highway 11 is a controlled access freeway, which will limit all vehicle access to the highway to interchange locations only. Closure of at-grade intersections and entrances, improvements to existing interchanges, and the possible introduction of new interchanges as well as service road connections to provide alternative access for residences and businesses fronting on to Highway 11 will be examined as part of this study.
The main transportation issues put forward by the MTO include:
Ø Congestion during summer peak periods;
Ø Need for additional capacity to address projected future travel demand;
Ø Tight horizontal curves;
Ø Steep grades;
Ø Short speed change lanes;
Ø Sight distance concerns at entrances;
Ø Narrow median shoulders;
Ø Areas of unpaved outside shoulders;
Ø Rock cut close to traveled lanes;
Ø Safety
The main issue for the Town of Gravenhurst is the potential negative impact on a significant portion of our business community and the impact this can have on the realty tax revenues generated by these businesses. In addition there could also be significant adverse effects on the environment and on the property values of both seasonal and permanent residents located on either side of the highway.
The purpose of this blog is to allow all cottagers, ratepayers, businesses and visitors of the Town of Gravenhurst the opportunity to post their comments on the effect that the re-alignment of Highway 11 could have.
The URS study is to look at several options relating to the re-alignment of the Highway 11 road bed between the southern portion of Highway 169 (Washago) and the northern portion of Highway 169 (south entrance to Gravenhurst).The ultimate vision for this section of Highway 11 is a controlled access freeway, which will limit all vehicle access to the highway to interchange locations only. Closure of at-grade intersections and entrances, improvements to existing interchanges, and the possible introduction of new interchanges as well as service road connections to provide alternative access for residences and businesses fronting on to Highway 11 will be examined as part of this study.
The main transportation issues put forward by the MTO include:
Ø Congestion during summer peak periods;
Ø Need for additional capacity to address projected future travel demand;
Ø Tight horizontal curves;
Ø Steep grades;
Ø Short speed change lanes;
Ø Sight distance concerns at entrances;
Ø Narrow median shoulders;
Ø Areas of unpaved outside shoulders;
Ø Rock cut close to traveled lanes;
Ø Safety
The main issue for the Town of Gravenhurst is the potential negative impact on a significant portion of our business community and the impact this can have on the realty tax revenues generated by these businesses. In addition there could also be significant adverse effects on the environment and on the property values of both seasonal and permanent residents located on either side of the highway.
The purpose of this blog is to allow all cottagers, ratepayers, businesses and visitors of the Town of Gravenhurst the opportunity to post their comments on the effect that the re-alignment of Highway 11 could have.
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