Huntsville to apply for grant to extend sidewalks on Muskoka Road 3
Huntsville Council agreed to apply for a grant to extend sidewalks on Muskoka Road 3, in the February 24, 2025, meeting.
According to the agenda, the Town’s Strategic Plan includes ongoing development towards active transportation, including sidewalks.
The agenda indicates, “The Muskoka Rd. #3 Active Transportation Project increases sidewalk connectivity, promotes increased access to public transit and is an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting public transit and active transportation.”
The Town wants to replace and extend sidewalks from Lorne Street to Highway 11.
Although, the District already plans to replace the infrastructure for water and sewer from Main Street west from Lorne Street to Cairns Drive, the Town is responsible for maintaining it’s sidewalks.
It adds that the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) is currently accepting applications for funding relevant to the Active Transportation Fund, which could cover a maximum of 60% of the costs for the project.
Staff requested authorization from Council to apply for the HICC-Active Transportation Fund for the project “which is not recognized in the Capital forecast.”
Retaining walls will also be included with the sidewalks from Main Street west from Lorne Street to Cairns Drive.
The agenda continues, “Upon approval of the grant the project will be included in the Capital Forecast and any new assets will be included in the Town’s asset inventory and any additional increase to capital contributions will be included in future budgets for future asset replacement.”
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, said, “It’s a really exciting project.”
She indicated that the Town would be collaborating with the District on the project once they begin plans for working on their infrastructure.
Director of Finance/Treasurer, Julia McKenzie, outlined that the timeline for the process includes having the application submitted by the deadline this Wednesday, and “the grant funding goes until 2030, so we do have a bit of time to co-ordinate that with the District so that we can work on co-ordinating that project with them.” She said it would likely begin in late 2026-2027.
