King William Street to undergo major construction

The work will go on 24/7 with an on site contact for noise complaints

Huntsville Council approved the noise by-law exemption for the King William Street infrastructure project, in the January 26th meeting.

The exemption request is to support a major District of Muskoka infrastructure reconstruction project planned for King William Street, between Scott Street and Highway 60, beginning in spring 2026 and completed before 2027.

According to the report, the District is undertaking a full reconstruction within a predominantly commercial area of Huntsville, including the removal and replacement of traffic signal infrastructure, sanitary and storm sewers, watermains, curbs, sidewalks, boulevards, and the roadway itself.

The work will require lane restrictions, traffic detours, and extended construction durations, which are expected to impact traffic and nearby businesses.

The Town’s Civil Engineering Technologist, Michael Parniak, said, “It will be invasive to the Town… The idea is construction in and out as quick as possible.”

Under the current by-law, construction activities are generally prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday, as well as during portions of Sundays. However, staff report that restricting work to these permitted daytime hours would significantly extend the overall project timeline and prolong disruptions to traffic and surrounding commercial activity.

Staff recommend permitting night-time and weekend construction because it would help minimize traffic congestion, improve safety, and expedite project completion.

The report adds that shortening the construction timeline would also benefit residents, businesses, and visitors by reducing the length and intensity of traffic disruptions.

It continues that the commercial setting of the project area, combined with limited residential exposure and seasonal traffic considerations, makes extended working hours reasonable and appropriate.

Noise mitigation measures and advance public notification would be required and coordinated between the contractor, the District of Muskoka, and Town of Huntsville staff.

Council was presented with two options: approve the noise by-law exemption, allowing night-time and weekend construction and help expedite the project, or deny it and restrict work to standard hours, possibly prolonged construction, increased traffic congestion, and greater disruption during the busy summer season.

Parniak said the goal will be “to maintain pedestrian access and vehicles to driveways and businesses, when possible,” however, sometimes there may not be driveway access. 

He added that there will be a person on call to handle noise or business disruption complaints.

He continued that that there will be a District meeting next month “to discuss responsibilities of the messaging going out.”