Roads
For assistance after regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), please call the on-call operator at 705-487-2171
Operations & Community Services is responsible for the maintenance of the municipal road system, storm sewers, storm water management ponds and sidewalks. In addition, the Division works in cooperation with the County of Simcoe's Environmental Services Department on waste management and recycling programs. The administration of a majority of the Corporation’s fleet of vehicles and departmental equipment is also the responsibility of this section. The different types of fleet equipment maintained by Operations & Community includes light/medium/heavy vehicles, tractors, excavators, construction and snow removal equipment.
Line 15 North Traffic Calming Initiative
Line 15 North from Bass Lake Sideroad to Highway 12 is a 1.4 km stretch of roadway under the jurisdiction of the Township. This segment is a narrow road providing access to residential roads, Bass Lake Provincial Park, and waterfront access on the north-west shore of Bass Lake.
Over the past several years, the segment of road from Bass Lake Sideroad to Highway 12 has experienced a significant increase in traffic volumes and travel speeds associated with growth in west Orillia and is now being used as bypass from Hwy 12 to west Orillia.
In response to traffic safety concerns along the Bass Lake Sideroad to Highway 12 road segment, a number of traffic calming initiatives have been piloted over the past several years.
With a further effort to address concerns, the Township implemented more restrictive measures during the summer of 2022, as a one year pilot project, which included a northbound directional closure at Bass Lake Sideroad, and installation of chicanes.
The directional closure was effective at reducing traffic volume, which is positive. However, the closure resulted in a significant hazard at the Line 15 North/Bass Lake Sideroad intersection with a high degree of non-compliance with vehicles circumventing the north bound directional closure. Taking these factors into consideration, revised traffic calming measures will be implemented including:
- discontinuation of the directional closure;
- reconfiguration of traffic calming to remove chicanes and replace with additional vertical gates and speed humps;
- extension of the Community Safety Zone to year-round application;
- reconfiguration of permit parking area and installation of planters;
- implementation of pedestrian cross over and all-way stop at the Barr Avenue intersection;
- installation of additional pedestrian signage;
- continued work with OPP regarding targeted enforcement;
- continued discussion and traffic planning with the City of Orillia; and
- continued monitoring and collection of data to make adjustments as necessary.
These measures will address the safety of the intersection as well as safety along Line 15 North.
Following implementation, the Township will continue to monitor the revised traffic calming measures and make adjustments as deemed necessary. The Township will also continue discussions with the City of Orillia regarding the City’s continued development, and the impacts development has on this area of the Township.
Additional Background Information Regarding Line 15 North Traffic Calming:
Road Network Plan - Road Needs Study
The Township is creating a Road Network Plan to assess current roads needs and to plan for future requirements. As part of this work, traffic counts, speed assessments and intersection reviews have been conducted at over 100 locations across the Township. Highlights of the plan include a thorough review of the following aspects:
Road Needs Study
Road System Inventory
Minimum Maintenance Standards Classification
Road Condition Appraisal & Needs Assessment
Determine sustainable funding levels to maintain road standards
Road System and Operations
Active Transportation
Emergency Detour Routes (EDR)
- Establish EDRs for highway system
Road Standards
Provide recommendations to update Transportation policies within the Township's Official Plan.
Review current Township road standards relating to road classification and cross-sections.
Confirm applicability of standards in context of road classification, traffic volumes and other appropriate measures.
Present recommended changes for consideration (local road vs. collector road, urban road vs. rural road, residential road vs. industrial road, etc.)
Determine service levels and conditions for assumption of private roads located within the Township.
The municipality's roads network is one of its most vital assets and is a crucial service for our residents and businesses. The Township is continuing to refine its plan to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure is addressed in a comprehensive and economically viable manner.
Additional and Important Information Regarding the Road Network Plan:
