The District of Muskoka has released its full summer road construction schedule for 2026, and drivers across Bracebridge and nearby communities should expect single-lane closures and travel delays on many local roads from now through the fall. The work covers dozens of roads and includes resurfacing, bridge repairs, and preventive treatments meant to extend the life of rural routes.
Crews will be working on resurfacing and maintenance projects across a long list of Muskoka Roads. In the Township of Muskoka Lakes, a slurry seal treatment is being applied to several rural roads, such as Big Joe Road, Hemlock Point Road, Kirrie Glen Road, Rostrevor Road, Whiteside Road, and Ziska Road. This follow-up to last year’s surface work helps protect the pavement and keep it in good shape longer.
The District of Muskoka is responsible for maintaining 730 kilometres of roads and 52 bridges across the region. Since 2022, it has invested nearly $257 million in infrastructure, with $117 million of that going directly toward roads and transportation. The full replacement cost of the transportation network is estimated at $1.95 billion as of 2024, highlighting the ongoing need for this kind of regular upkeep.
In Gravenhurst, the Bay and Beyond project is also underway, with single-lane closures on Bay Street from just east of Steamship Bay Road to Greavette Street on June 2 from 9 p.m. to June 3 at 7 a.m. for line painting. A full closure of Bay Street between Sarah Street and Muskoka Road South is scheduled from June to December 2026 to replace underground infrastructure that dates back to 1944.
Three new pedestrian crossings are also being installed in Muskoka Lakes this year. One will go on Muskoka Road 118 near Stephen Road in Port Carling, and two more on Muskoka Road 169 at Gordon Street and Portage Street in Bala. Construction is expected to start as early as June, with the Port Carling crossing ready by late summer and the two Bala crossings ready by early fall.
Because the construction season in Muskoka is short, much of the work happens during the summer months, meaning drivers will face delays during working hours. Residents are encouraged to plan extra time for their trips and check the District’s road construction and closures page or the Township of Muskoka Lakes roads and sidewalks page for updates.
