Notice of Study Commencement - Bala Falls Road Bridge Replacement

Notice of Study Commencement
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment 
Bala Falls Road Bridge Replacement

Background

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is commencing an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to determine the preferred method of improvement of the Bala Falls Road Bridge (South Falls Bridge), which crosses the south channel of the outlet from Lake Muskoka into the Moon River in the Village of Bala. The study area is shown on the map provided on the reverse of this notice. The bridge is in fair to poor condition, with inadequate roadside safety measures, load capacity restriction, concrete deterioration, and erosion at the base of the piers.

Study Process

This study is considered to be a Schedule ‘B’ project as outlined in the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document. The Class EA Study will address the following:

• The existing and future vehicle traffic operations along Bala Falls Road;
• The existing and future pedestrian and active transportation operations along Bala Falls Road;
• Alternative solutions to improving the ability to convey river flow and storm flow;
• Alternative solutions to improving safety;
• The location, extent and sensitivity of the existing environments within the study area;
• Potential impacts of each alternative to the noted environments and possible mitigation measures;
• Methods to address the heritage value of the existing bridge;
• Public and agency consultation and participation; and
• An assessment and evaluation of the alternatives culminating in a preferred solution.

Consultation

Members of the public, agencies, Indigenous communities and other interested persons are encouraged to actively participate in the planning of undertaking by attending consultation opportunities or contacting staff directly with information, comments or questions. Consultation opportunities will be available throughout the planning process. Opportunity for public input and review of the study progress will be provided at a virtual Public Information Centre to be held in the upcoming months, during which time the various alternative solutions and assessment of each will be presented. Further details with respect to the Public Information Centre, and how you can participate, will be advertised on the Township of Muskoka Lakes Website, in local newspaper, and by direct mail out to residents abutting the project limits as well as individuals requesting to be added to the project mailing list.

Project Contacts

If you would like to be added to or removed from our project mailing list or have project-related questions,
please contact the Township of Muskoka Lakes and/or Consultant as noted below:

Tatham Engineering Limited

115 Sandford Fleming Dr. #200
Collingwood, ON L9Y 5A6
Emma Wilkinson, H.B.A., B.E.Sc., P.Eng
Project Manager
ewilkinson@tathameng.com
(705) 645-7756 x2101

Tim Sopkowe, C.E.T.

Public Works Technician
Township of Muskoka Lakes
P.O. Box 129, 1 Bailey Street
Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
Tel: 705-765-3156 ext 251
tsopkowe@muskokalakes.ca

Information Collection

All personal information included in a submission – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, maintained and disclosed for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in s.37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

Attachments

Notice of Study Commencement - Bala Falls Road Bridge Replacement