On the road to recovery – update 9

The Town of Gravenhurst continues on the road to recovery following the significant snowfall in our community. 

The latest… 

York Region workers are using their blowers to clear snowbanks along John Street, from Winewood Avenue to Bay Street. 

Town crews are conducting their regular plow routes and treating roads with a sand/salt blend to provide traction. 

Crews from Fowler Construction are using a grader to remove packed snow (peeling) on Doe Lake Road, Houseys Rapids Road, Coopers Falls Road. 

Fowler crews are also using a grader to remove packed snow on Southwood Road and Beiers Road. 

Robinson Haulage is using a grader to remove packed snow on Kilworthy, Baseline, and Canning roads. 

Trisan Construction is using a loader/backhoe to remove packed snow on all roads on the east side of Bethune Drive, between Phillip Street and Highway 11. 

Tonight, Robinson Haulage will conduct snowbank cleanup operations on Muskoka Road South (including the downtown core) from Winewood Avenue to James Street. 

Tonight, Trisan Construction will conduct snowbank cleanup operations on Muskoka Beach Road, from Winewood Avenue to Evans Avenue. 

As noted in earlier updates, town staff continue to clear snow from sidewalks in seniors’ communities and school zones. Sidewalk cleanup will be ongoing for approximately two weeks. Workers continue to encounter downed trees and limbs, which makes progress slow. The town has rented additional sidewalk clearing equipment to help facilitate operations. 

Hydro One has small areas that remain without power. See Hydro One outage map.

Things to keep in mind…

The state of emergency continues to ensure the town has the appropriate resources to deal with the cleanup, but the focus now is on recovery and a return to overall normal operations.

A key reason for remaining in the state of emergency is the town can access provincial financial assistance for cleanup costs. 

The significant weather declaration remains in place and will continue until cleanup operations are complete. This allows the town greater flexibility with its winter maintenance standards, as per provincial regulations.

The Centennial Centre continues to operate as a warming centre. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Food hampers are on site for people who need them. Hamper deliveries are also available. E-mail us at info@gravenhurst.ca or call 705-687-3412, and press 8. The centre had minimal use over the weekend and the last few days with people coming in primarily to have showers and recharge cell phones.

Waste disposal – The District of Muskoka’s Beiers Transfer Station reopened Tuesday, Dec. 10 for people needing waste disposal services.

People on private roads requiring snow removal – please see our list of contractors. If you are a contractor and wish to be added to the list, please contact us through the phone number or e-mail address below. 

The town is reminding private contractors doing cleanup for individuals, businesses, and organizations that they must find their own location to dump snow – the town pit off Industrial Drive is for municipal use only. There are no exceptions. Trespassers will be charged and prosecuted. 

The Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit’s Gravenhurst office is open and accepting well water samples for testing. See the SMDHU website for more details.

People with questions about the state of emergency or specific needs can e-mail us at info@gravenhurst.ca or call 705-687-3412, and press 8.

Town hall is open during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) weekdays. 

If you experience an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

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