Background City Hall

Centennial Drive Area Improvements

 

Phase 2 Construction will begin August 2, 2022. 

The Centennial Drive Reconstruction Project Phase 2 includes construction of local sanitary sewers and watermains on Centennial Drive to service redevelopment in the area, construction of large underground storm water quality control structures to improve the quality of the storm sewer discharge, burying of the existing overhead power lines, and road reconstruction and realignment in the Canice Street/Centennial Drive/Mississaga Street East corridor between Brant Street East and Front Street.

 

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

$17,800,000 for Phase 2 - Reconstruction of Canice Street / Centennial Drive / Mississaga Street East Corridor from Brant Street East to Front Street

Timeline: 

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

2022:  Phase 2 - Reconstruction of the Canice Street / Centennial Drive / Mississaga Street East Corridor from Brant Street East to Front Street
 Current Status

 Phase 2

The Phase 2 contract has been awarded to Arnott Construction.

The Centennial Drive Reconstruction Project Phase 2 includes construction of local sanitary sewers and watermains on Centennial Drive to service redevelopment in the area, construction of large underground storm water quality control structures to improve the quality of the storm sewer discharge, burying of the existing overhead power lines, and road reconstruction and realignment in the Canice Street/Centennial Drive/Mississaga Street East corridor between Brant Street East and Front Street (see Key Map). 

Construction will commence August 2, 2022 on Mississaga Street East from Front Street to the Esplanade (Lakeview Avenue) and will last for approximately six weeks to complete the road reconstruction, including the replacement of the existing watermain, sanitary sewer and storm water drainage system. Emergency vehicle access and access to all residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. 

Key Map

Centennial Drive Reconstruction Phase 2

It is anticipated that the project will be completed in the spring of 2023. 

Updates will be available here throughout the course of the project. 
 Phase 1
The Cedar Island Road pump station construction and Elgin Street reconstruction from Front Street South to Cedar Island Road commenced in 2021 and work on this phase is ongoing.  The Contractor for Phase 1 is J.B. Enterprises.
Contact

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. 

Phase 2 (Construction)

Jeff Hunter, Manager of Construction and Transit, 705-325-2213, jhunter@orillia.ca or Arnott Construction Public Relations Officer - Sara Shaw, 705-627-7779 or by email at centennial@arnottgroup.com. 
 Road Closures

 

 Elgin Street / Esplanade
The Esplanade between Elgin Street and Mississaga Street East will be closed to facilitate road works.  The road will be closed to all traffic, however, emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.

Esplanade Closure Map
 Recreation Trail Relocation
 Map of Trail Relocation

 

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.