Huntsville to enter into an agreement with MTO for work on Shay Road

Staff say that one end of the road is in dire need of repair and it’s in a reconstruction stage rather than a maintenance stage

Huntsville Council agreed to enter into an agreement with MTO for work on Shay Road, in the July 28, 2025, meeting.

The agreement is for work on a part of the road from the east of the newly developed extension to the proposed Paisley Avenue extension, with the goal to create a second point of access for the Eagle Riding subdivision, according to the staff report.

Manager of Operations, Brandon Hall, said, “The development, as a requirement, needs a secondary access. To do that the Town needs to keep a portion of Shay Road open.”

He added, “One end is in dire need of repair and it’s in a reconstruction stage rather than a maintenance stage.”

According to his report, “In its current condition, winter operations pose a risk of equipment damage, and summer maintenance would be ineffective due to the roads structural deficiencies.”

As a result, staff recommended a temporary closure on the south part of the road, from Paisley Avenue to 23 Shay Road, which is approximately 100 meters northeast of Sabrina Park Drive, and maintenance on the north part, from Paisley Avenue to the new Shay Road extension.

His report adds that the MTO currently owns the road from the east of the new extension to West Road, about 1km, with the deterioration in the south portion being due to lack of seasonal and annual maintenance.

“During the 2024/2025 winter season, the MTO closed the entire road section due to challenges in performing maintenance, citing both financial limitations and the poor condition of the roadway,” indicates the report.

It adds that the closure compromised the proposed Eagle Ridge subdivision development on the Paisely Avenue extension, a draft plan with approval for a maximum of 600 residential units, with the two points of access being required for emergencies and traffic.

The collaboration with the MTO is a short-term solution, indicated Hall, which involves an agreement allowing the Town to maintain the north part of Shay Road, from Paisley Avenue extension to the Shay Road extension.

Hall advised that the agreement would be in effect until the MTO’s portion of the road can be transferred to the Town.

The long-term goal is a transfer of ownership of the MTO portion of the road to the Town, which staff indicated can take years to finalize.

They report, “This approach balances the immediate need to support the proposed development with the Town’s responsibility to maintaining operational and capital resources effectively.”

Councillor, Helena Renwick, said she drove on Shay Road today, and told Hall “I’m in complete agreement with what you’re saying about the condition of the road.” She added, “It narrows down and there are hallows and bumps. It’s horrible.”

Staff will continue to work with the MTO about future ownership and budget planning for reconstruction of the remaining south part of Shay Road.