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Centennial Drive Area Improvements

 

Project Summary
Location: Centennial Drive Area

Budget: 

$457,000 for the Class EA and Detailed Design

$10,600,000 for Phase 1 - Cedar Island Road Pump Station Construction and Elgin Street Reconstruction from Front Street South to Cedar Island Road

Timeline: 

2021 - 2022:  Phase 1 - Cedar Island Road Pump Station Construction and Elgin Street Reconstruction from Front Street South to Cedar Island Road

Current Status: 

 Phase 1

The Cedar Island Road pump station construction and Elgin Street reconstruction from Front Street South to Cedar Island Road has commenced.  The Contractor for this phase of the project is J.B. Enterprises Limited.  

Update 6 - July 28, 2021

Elgin Street between Front Street South and Cedar Island Road will be reopening end of day July 28, 2021.

The Esplanade will be closed as of July 28th between Elgin Street and Mississaga Street East until late September. 

This closure is required in order for the Contractor to carry out the planned road construction works.  Emergency and pedestrian access will continue to be maintained. 

Esplanade Closure Map
Update 5 - July 22, 2021

Sidewalks have been installed on Elgin Street.  Driveways and asphalt sidewalk are also complete on Elgin Street.  To be completed are topsoil and sod. 

Drilling for the pump station on Cedar Island Road is nearing completion.  

Elgin Street will be reopening to traffic and the closure of the Esplanade will be occurring for the Contractor to continue works.

For the safety of pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles, a four-way stop has been set up in front of 140 Cedar Island Road.
Update 4 - July 2, 2021

Curbs will be installed in the coming week on Elgin Street, along with sidewalks on Elgin Street between Front Street South and Scott Street.  Drilling has begun and will continue at the Pump Station on Cedar Island Road. 
Update 3 - May 26, 2021

Beginning May 26, 2021, the recreational trail adjacent to the Elgin Street pump station will be realigned adjacent to the construction area to ensure trail users safety during construction.  Please see the map below.  
Update 2 - May 19, 2021

The Contractor has commenced work with pipe installation and full road reconstruction on Elgin Street beginning at Cedar Island Road and working towards Front Street South. 

Beginning Tuesday, May 25, 2021, the Contractor will begin drilling the foundation for the Sanitary Sewage Pump Station on Cedar Island Road.  For the safety of pedestrians, the walking trail will be reduced to one lane with fencing and barricades.

Dewatering tank and systems will be set up and commissioned to control ground water.
 Update 1 - May 11, 2021

The Contractor has mobilized and will be setting up erosion controls and safety fencing along the asphalt trails.  Traffic control will also be set up. 

Starting May 13, Elgin Street will be closed until mid- to late July and the existing asphalt will be removed.  A detour will be in place.

 

Road Closures and Detours

Elgin Street Closure - Effective July 28, 2021

The Esplanade between Elgin Street and Mississaga Street East will be closed to facilitate road works effective July 28, 2021 until late September, 2021.  The road will be closed to all traffic, however, emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.

Esplanade Closure Map

Recreation Trail Relocation - Effective May 26, 2021

Map of Trail Relocation

Phase 1 (Construction) - Jeff Hunter, Manager of Construction and Transit, 705-325-2213, jhunter@orillia.ca or J.B. Enterprises' Public Relation Officer - Debi Garbutt, 705-734-1174 or by email at pr.jbenterprises@gmail.com. 

Overview

 Background
The City of Orillia initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) and detailed design study in May 2016 for the proposed re-alignment of Centennial Drive to enhance traffic operations and to promote active transportation (walking, cycling, etc.) and vehicular traffic connectivity between the downtown core and the waterfront.  This in turn furthers the objective of the Downtown Tomorrow Plan (Sept. 2012).  A Public Information Centre (PIC No. 1) was held November 9, 2016 as part of Phase 2 of the Class EA process to present alternative solutions under consideration.  Following that meeting and the receipt of public and agency input, the City authorized an expansion of the study area and scope of work in February 2017. 
 The Project

The initial scope of study included the re-alignment of Centennial Drive / Canice Street from Brant Street to Elgin Street and the extension of Coldwater Street from Front Street to Centennial Drive.  This was expanded to include:

  • the reconstruction of Mississaga Street East from Front Street to Centennial Drive;
  • the extension/reconstruction of Colborne Street East from Front Street to the Esplanade; 
  • the reconstruction of Elgin Street from Front Street to Scott Street;
  • the relocation of the trunk sanitary sewer from the waterfront area to Front Street;
  • the construction of a new local sanitary sewer system, including pump station, in the waterfront area. 
 Public Information Centre No. 1A
Further to PIC No. 1 held in November 2016, a second meeting identified as PIC No. 1A was held to provide an update on the project and to revisit Phase 2 of the Class EA process and the alternative solutions developed to address the identified deficiencies.  PIC No.1A was held on Thursday, November 9th, 2017.

Public Information Centre No. 2

Following a review of comments received from PIC No. 1A, the City of Orillia has selected Alternative 3 (as presented at PIC 1A) as the Preferred Solution for Centennial Drive which proposes that the alignment of Centennial Drive generally follow the existing alignment between Mississaga Street East and Neywash Street and then curve to the west to follow the former railway right-of-way.  The Preferred Solution selected to address the sanitary sewer servicing deficiencies proposes that a new pump station be constructed on the east side of Cedar Island Road.

As part of Phase 3 of the Class EA process, a drop-in style Public Information Centre (PIC) was held in May 2018 to allow all interested parties an opportunity to review the alternative design concepts developed for the Preferred Solutions and to discuss the project further with the study team. 

Following a review of comments received from PIC No. 2, the City of Orillia has selected the preferred design for the project.  Key components of the preferred design include:

  • An alignment of Centennial Drive that generally follows the existing alignment between Mississaga Street East and Neywash Street and then curves west to follow the former railway right-of-way with closure of the northerly entrance to the Centennial Drive boat launch ramp parking lot all as per the Option 2 Roll Plan displayed at PIC No. 2.
  • A new Pump Station on the east side of Cedar Island Road complete with emergency storage and an interior diesel generator.

Environmental Study Report

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks has provided their decision on a Part II Order request and is available for review.  

Decision

 

Notice of Completion

Environmental Study Report

Environmental Study Report - Appendix A - F

Environmental Study Report - Appendix G - I

 

Please note that the Environmental Study Report Appendices are large documents that may take a few minutes to load on your browser or mobile device.  These documents are available at the City Centre for viewing. 

Media Releases

Media Advisory - May 7, 2018

Media Advisory - February 1, 2018

Media Advisory - November 1, 2017

Media Advisory - November 4, 2016

 

Please note:  We attempt to make all online documents accessible, however some documents may not meet all AODA Accessibility requirements.  If you require assistance or communication support, please contact Development Services and Engineering at 705-325-2271.