NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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Phase 3 of the Centennial Drive area improvements project gets underway this week.
“This is a very exciting milestone as work begins to extend Coldwater Street to Centennial Drive. When complete, this street will better connect our historic downtown to our beautiful waterfront,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “The revitalization of our downtown waterfront area is a major undertaking but will be well worth it once complete. We appreciate the patience of our residents, businesses and visitors.”
Work is taking place to remove asphalt and other existing infrastructure as the project begins. As a result, Coldwater Street is now closed between Front Street North and Centennial Drive.
The city and the project contractor, Arnott Construction Ltd., are working with local businesses impacted by the construction to ensure they have safe access. The Metro grocery store will remain open throughout construction and customers can access the parking lot from the Front Street North or Neywash Street entrances. (See map.)
Sidewalks on Coldwater Street will be closed between Front Street North and Centennial Drive. Through pedestrian traffic will be maintained on Front Street when possible.
Temporary Municipal Parking Lot 13, located at 70 Front St. N., is no longer accessible as a result of construction; however, the city has opened Temporary Municipal Parking Lot 15, located at 20 Front St. S., which has more than 100 parking spaces available.
Phase 3 of the Centennial Drive area improvements project was awarded to Arnott Construction Ltd., who is also completing Phase 2 of the Centennial Drive area improvements project and the Laclie Street and Tecumseth Street reconstruction projects. Work includes the reconstruction/extension of Coldwater Street between Front Street North and Centennial Drive. The project also involves extension of the water main to Centennial Drive and replacement of a large-diameter storm sewer.
It is anticipated that Phase 3 of the Centennial Drive area improvement project will be completed at the end of November 2023. The total budget for Phase 3 is $2.65 million.
The Centennial Drive area improvements project was identified in the 2012 Downtown Tomorrow Plan as a goal to better connect the downtown core to the waterfront and to provide for increased residential development in the downtown area. The extension of Coldwater Street from Front Street North to Centennial Drive will link that corridor to the waterfront area.
Additional projects, including the Centennial Drive area improvements project phases 1 and 2 and the Laclie Street Phase 1 and Tecumseth Street reconstruction projects, continue this summer. For more information related to impacts to park amenities, road closures, access points and more, visit orillia.ca/waterfront.
For more information regarding the Centennial Drive area reconstruction project and to sign up for updates, visit orillia.ca/centennial.
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