An emergency full road closure of Southwood Road (Muskoka Road 13) is needed next week.
A failed culvert 1 km from Muskoka Road 169 will cause Southwood Road to be fully closed in both directions for four days, during the week of August 15th, with a significant detour in effect.
- Southwood Road (Muskoka Road 13) fully closed starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 15, 2022 until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2022.
- Road will be fully closed in both directions with detour
- 34 km detour in effect around the closure (to reconnect with MR 13 at MR 19) – Detour Map
- Southbound traffic: Continue South on Muskoka Road 169, to Highway 11 South Bound, Exit at Muskoka Road 19 (Beiers Road), North on Muskoka Road 13 (Southwood Road)
- Norhtbound traffic: Highway 11 Northbound, Exit at Muskoka Road 169 (Bethune Drive), North on Muskoka Road 169 to Muskoka Road 13 (Southwood Road)
Emergency Repairs – What Happened
The Resound Creek Twin Culverts have failed due to sudden damage from debris build-up and removal efforts. Crews have been working to maintain the site, however the situation has deteriorated to the point that a total failure of the road is possible – an expedited and controlled complete replacement is necessary.
Due to the depth of the installation, single lane traffic cannot be feasibly accommodated and therefore a full closure is required to ensure an efficient and quality installation. These culverts convey water from Echo Lake and the surrounding catchment across Muskoka Road 13 to the Lake Muskoka-Bala Bay Sub-Watershed. As part of this replacement effort, the culverts will be increased in size to better handle increased flows resulting from high precipitation or beaver activity.
Crews will work 24 hours a day, until this work is complete. The road will reopen by the end of day on Thursday, August 18, 2022.
When the road is reopened, the detour will be lifted. Single-lane traffic will be in effect while crews complete final work – motorists are advised that minor delays may be experienced until the first week of September.
The District recognize the disruption and inconvenience this causes our community – and appreciates your patience and cooperation while this emergency work is completed.
For more information, please visit its website at www.muskoka.on.ca.