Rehabilitation work on Highway 559 north of Parry Sound has started earlier than planned.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith says he reached out to the Ministry of Transportation after driving down the road and noticing deteriorating conditions.
“I had a chance to be out in April and go for a ride down it and a number of sections were not at their best,” said Smith. “So that started some conversations to try and get the road tuned up earlier than planned.”
Construction crews are now on-site repairing potholes to address immediate safety concerns.
Work was originally slated to begin in June or July.
“I was in touch with the MTO directly and talked to the Minister about it,” said Smith. “I said ‘we’ve got an important road here, a busy season coming up with campers heading out to Killbear, is there any way we can get this done sooner?”
According to Smith’s office, the full reconstruction of the highway, including replacing the centerline culvert, adding paved shoulders and a new layer of asphalt, is scheduled for summer 2025.
MTO officials are continuing to work through environmental approvals, land acquisitions, utility locations, and other consultation requirements.