Gravenhurst to close two entrances off Hwy 11

The access points are a safety concern

Gravenhurst Council approved two road entrance closures from Highway 11, in the April 15, 2025, meeting.

Council approved the stopping up and closing of one secondary entrance at Manson/Cowbell Lane and one at Mitchell Road from Highway 11.

According to the staff report, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is working on rehabilitating the Highway 11 corridor, including an extension from Severn Bridge to South Kahshe Lake Road, covering 7.8 km of the highway.

The report adds that the MTO gave the municipality options to either maintain or remove the access points. The permanent closure to the access points were recommended because of technical and safety reasons raised.

Director of Infrastructure, Andrew Stacey, said the decision was based on the MTO’s engineering analysis reporting “poor geometrics.”

The report indicates that both roads have secondary access points from the highway which the public will continue to be able to use.

The Manson/Cowbell Lane access point 100 meters north of Severn Bridge is recommended for closure, however, the second point which is 500 meters has a deceleration taper for turning.

The Mitchell Road north entrance is recommended for closure because a cul-de-sac is being constructed to facilitate municipal operations, however, the south entrance will remain with an improvement to ensure a right turn taper.

The Town will provide the public with the opportunity for feedback about the intended closures which will be in effect for 30 days. Staff will then present a new By-law for Council approval in an upcoming meeting.

Once the closures are adopted by Council, the MTO will install rail barricades across the former entrances.

Stacey advised Council that the construction costs will be covered by the MTO.

The report indicates that although the municipal costs are currently unknown, if the Town incurs related costs staff will forward them to the MTO for potential reimbursement.