Steep section of Harvie Settlement Rd. now closed through winter season

The City of Orillia, Ont. (CTV News Barrie)

Due to the rise in safety concerns, a section of Harvie Settlement Road in Orillia will remain closed throughout the winter season.

As of Sunday, the drive lane at 695 Harvie Settlement Road and its intersection with University Avenue will be inaccessible to winter drivers until March 15.

The City says the closure is due to the road’s steep grade and sharp turn near the University Avenue intersection, which pose significant risks, particularly for heavy vehicles like snowplows.

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City staff reported that plowing and salting the section is hazardous, as vehicles often struggle to drive up the hill and risk sliding through the intersection when descending.

“City staff responsible for plowing and salting this road have extensive experience operating equipment, and while treating it, routinely struggle to make it up the hill,” noted the staff report.

City Council supported staff’s recommendation, prioritizing public safety during the winter months. Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes until the closure is lifted in March.