Bala Falls Road Bridge Environmental Assessment Study

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Consultation has concluded

The Bala Falls Road Bridge crosses the south channel of the outlet from Lake Muskoka into the Moon River in Bala. The location of the bridge is shown on the map below. The bridge is in fair to poor condition with inadequate roadside safety measures, a posted load capacity restriction, concrete deterioration and erosion at the base of the piers. The Township of Muskoka Lakes is commencing an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to identify the preferred method of improvement for the bridge.

Study Process

This project is a Schedule ‘B’ project as outlined in the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document. The Class EA Study will consider and address the impacts associated with the proposed improvements.

Alternative solutions have been identified as follows:

  • Do Nothing
  • Remove Bridge
  • Rehabilitate Existing Bridge
  • Replace Bridge

Following completion of the public engagement and in consideration of concerns that may be raised through agency reviews and public comment, the alternative solutions will be further evaluated and a preferred solution will be recommended for Township review and council endorsement. Following this, the project file report will be available for public review and comment.

Notice of Study Completion - Project File

The Township of Muskoka Lakes completed an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to identify the preferred method of improvement for the Bala Falls Road Bridge. 

View the Final Project File

  • The preferred alternative is Replacement.
  • The preferred design concept is Concept 2 - Five Span Base Option.

The Bala Falls Road Bridge crosses the south channel of the outlet from Lake Muskoka into the Moon River in Bala. The location of the bridge is shown on the map below. The bridge is in fair to poor condition with inadequate roadside safety measures, a posted load capacity restriction, concrete deterioration and erosion at the base of the piers. The Township of Muskoka Lakes is commencing an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to identify the preferred method of improvement for the bridge.

Study Process

This project is a Schedule ‘B’ project as outlined in the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document. The Class EA Study will consider and address the impacts associated with the proposed improvements.

Alternative solutions have been identified as follows:

  • Do Nothing
  • Remove Bridge
  • Rehabilitate Existing Bridge
  • Replace Bridge

Following completion of the public engagement and in consideration of concerns that may be raised through agency reviews and public comment, the alternative solutions will be further evaluated and a preferred solution will be recommended for Township review and council endorsement. Following this, the project file report will be available for public review and comment.

Notice of Study Completion - Project File

The Township of Muskoka Lakes completed an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to identify the preferred method of improvement for the Bala Falls Road Bridge. 

View the Final Project File

  • The preferred alternative is Replacement.
  • The preferred design concept is Concept 2 - Five Span Base Option.
Consultation has concluded

  • Notice of Study Completion

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    Background

    The Township of Muskoka Lakes completed an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to identify the preferred method of improvement for the Bala Falls Road Bridge. The preferred alternative is replacement. The study area is as shown in the key map.

    Study Process

    The Class EA Study followed the planning process for Schedule B projects as described in the Municipal Class EA document for Municipal Roads Projects (2000), published by the Municipal Engineers Association and Revised in 2007, 2011, and 2015. The findings of the Class EA process have been documented in the Project File Report.

    Online review of the project file report is being offered HERE.

    Interested members of the public have an opportunity to view the project file report including associated studies. If you are unable to view the report you may contact the project team to make alternate arrangements to view the file, via the contacts identified below. Interested persons are encouraged to review the report and provide written comments to the Township within the 30-day review period, October 21, 2021 to November 22, 2021, directed to the project contacts below:

    Project Contacts

    Owner – Township of Muskoka Lakes
    1 Bailey Street, P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
    Tim Sopkowe, C.E.T.
    Public Works Technician
    tsopkowe@muskokalakes.ca | (705) 765-3156 x251

    Consultant – Tatham Engineering Limited
    8 Barron Drive, Bracebridge, ON P1L 0A1
    Emma Wilkinson, H.B.A., B.E.Sc., P.Eng
    Project Manager
    ewilkinson@tathameng.com | (705) 645-7756 x2101

    Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for additional conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request. In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name.

    The request should be sent in writing or by email to both:

    Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
    Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
    777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
    Toronto ON M7A 2J3
    minister.mecp@ontario.ca

    Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
    Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
    135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor
    Toronto ON, M4V 1P5
    EABDirector@ontario.ca

    Requests should also be sent to the Township of Muskoka Lakes by mail or by e-mail. Please visit the ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-section-16-order. All personal information included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. As this information is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protection of personal information provided in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

    This Notice issued October 21, 2021.

    Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.