Ontario Highway 118 Photographs - Page 1 - History of Ontario's Kings Highways

Left - Facing south along Hwy 169 towards Bala from the Hwy 118 Junction at Glen Orchard. All three approaches to the Hwy 169 & Hwy 118 Junction at Glen Orchard were extensively realigned in the mid-1970s, as part of an improvement project to replace an inconspicuous junction where these two highways initially intersected. This broad, sweeping curve beside Butterfly Lake bypassed a series of sharp curves on the original 1937 route of Hwy 69 (later Hwy 169). See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Approaching the Hwy 118 Junction on Hwy 169 at Glen Orchard, facing north towards MacTier. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Green guide sign for Muskoka Road 118 West (Former Hwy 118) on northbound Hwy 169 at Glen Orchard. Provincial ownership of Hwy 118 west of Bracebridge ceased in 1998, when the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) transferred jurisdiction over the western leg of Hwy 118 to the District Municipality of Muskoka. Today, Former Hwy 118 from the Hwy 169 Junction at Glen Orchard to the Hwy 11 Interchange in Bracebridge is officially known as Muskoka Road 118 West. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Scenic Butterfly Lake appears on the eastern side of the Hwy 118 & Hwy 169 Junction. This is one of many lakes in the popular Muskoka Lakes tourist area. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - When the Hwy 169 & Hwy 118 Junction was reconstructed in 1974, new channelized right turn ramps were installed. Note the old "Ramp Speed 50" warning sign on the left side of the ramp. In recent years, these Ramp Speed signs have been phased out and replaced with new plain yellow signs which just post the numerical advisory speed only. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Western terminus of Hwy 118 at the Hwy 169 Junction at Glen Orchard. This interesting 1970s-vintage highway junction even features white chevron pavement hatch markings approaching the raised traffic islands, which are not commonly used in Ontario anymore. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Green guide signs on westbound Hwy 118 approaching Muskoka Road 169 (Former Hwy 169) at Glen Orchard. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Destination guide sign at the western terminus of Hwy 118 at the Hwy 169 Junction at Glen Orchard. The incorporated towns of Gravenhurst and Parry Sound were typically used as the destination control cities along Hwy 169 through Muskoka. Although the Town of Bala hasn't been an incorporated municipality in its own right in many decades, it is still a very popular Muskoka tourist destination and is still signed today at the Hwy 118 Junction. Bala was also the junction of two provincial highways (Hwy 169 & Hwy 660) up until 1982, which might further explain why Bala remained signed as a destination even though the town is no longer an incorporated municipal entity. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - General view of the current Hwy 169 & Hwy 118 Junction, facing east towards Port Carling. This photo was taken from the approximate site of the original highway junction, prior to the intersection's reconstruction in 1974. The vertical profile of Hwy 169 was lowered by several metres as a result of the reconstruction, which allowed the two highways to intersect at a comparatively level grade. Previously, Hwy 118 would have ascended a steep uphill grade just before reaching Hwy 169, which would have resulted in an inconspicuous intersection with poor sight lines. Given the magnitude of the reconstruction efforts displayed here, it is quite probable that the old highway junction at Glen Orchard had a dubious safety record prior to the 1970s. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Green guide sign for Muskoka Road 118 West (Former Hwy 118) on southbound Hwy 169 at Glen Orchard. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - View of the channelized right turn ramp from westbound Hwy 118 to northbound Hwy 169. The Department of Highways of Ontario (DHO) and its successor, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC), rebuilt many highway junctions with channelized right turn ramps such as this during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. This right turn ramp allows vehicles approaching on Hwy 118 to bypass the stop sign at Hwy 169. This intersection feature is particularly advantageous for heavy trucks. If they had to pass through the intersection and come to a full stop, it would take a considerable amount of time for the trucks to get back up to highway speeds. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing east along Hwy 118 from the Hwy 169 Junction at Glen Orchard. The reconstruction of the Hwy 169 & Hwy 118 Junction in 1974 also resulted in a diversion of Hwy 118 immediately east of Glen Orchard. When Hwy 118 was first established in the mid-1950s, the highway followed the aerial hydro lines onto West White's Road. This former alignment of Hwy 118 can be seen at right, departing from the current route of Hwy 118 and following the north shore of Butterfly Lake. The newer 1974 diversion of Hwy 118 can be seen straight ahead. The diversion removed a sharp curve on the original 1955 route of Hwy 118 approaching Glen Orchard. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing north along Hwy 169 towards MacTier from the Hwy 118 Junction at Glen Orchard. A substantial relocation of the highway took place here in 1974. Originally, the highway followed Carl's Road, located a short distance to the west. The relocation of Hwy 169 at Glen Orchard greatly improved the sight lines for traffic approaching the Hwy 118 Junction. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Approaching the Hwy 118 Junction on Hwy 169 at Glen Orchard, facing south towards Bala. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Autumn colours on Butterfly Lake, as seen from Hwy 118 at Glen Orchard. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Approaching the Hwy 169 Junction on Hwy 118 at Glen Orchard. A 1 km section of Hwy 118 was relocated east of Glen Orchard as a result of the intersection reconstruction in 1974. The original 1955 route of Hwy 118 followed the north shore of Butterfly Lake, via West White's Road. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Junction sign assembly at Hwy 118 & Hwy 169 at Glen Orchard. Although the old King's Highway crown signs have long since been removed at this junction, it is still rather noteworthy to see two municipal roads with three-digit route numbers intersect at a common junction. When the District of Muskoka acquired Hwy 118 & Hwy 169 from the province as a result of the municipal highway transfers in 1998, they made a wise decision to retain the Hwy 118 and Hwy 169 route numbers, rather than attempting to introduce new route numbers to these otherwise familiar highways. Old Hwy 118 (West White's Road) can be seen at left. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Approaching the Hwy 169 Junction at Glen Orchard on Hwy 118, facing west. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Advance green guide signs on westbound Hwy 118 approaching Muskoka Road 169 (Former Hwy 169) at Glen Orchard. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing east along Hwy 118 towards Port Carling, east of Butterfly Lake. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 27, 2013 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing east along Hwy 118 at Henshaw Lake, approaching Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - View of Henshaw Lake from Hwy 118 west of Port Carling. The highway passes about a dozen scenic lakes along its beautiful route through Muskoka. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing south along Peninsula Road (Former Hwy 632) towards the Hwy 118 Junction in Port Carling. This highway junction marks the original southern terminus of Hwy 632 as it existed prior to the 1970s. Since 1972, provincial jurisdiction over Hwy 632 has ended at the Muskoka-Parry Sound District Boundary between Port Sandfield and Rosseau. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 24, 2017 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing north along Former Hwy 632 (Peninsula Road) towards Port Sandfield from the Hwy 118 Junction in Port Carling. The former route of Hwy 632 within the District Municipality of Muskoka is now known as Muskoka District Road 7. The route of Hwy 632 is signed with a green-and-white trailblazer route marker via Peninsula Road. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 24, 2017 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Old green-and-white Hwy 169 trailblazer crown marker on Hwy 118 near Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Sorry, what direction am I going? Muskoka's insistence on referring to Former Hwy 118 as "Muskoka 118 West" is undoubtedly confusing for eastbound motorists. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Former alignment of Hwy 118 (Clearwater Shores Boulevard) near Henshaw Lake west of Port Carling. This section of Hwy 118 was bypassed in the 1960s by a relocated route of Hwy 118 on a vastly-improved alignment. This former loop of Hwy 118 follows the northern shore of Henshaw Lake, before resuming its route into Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Former alignment of Hwy 118 (Lee Valley Drive) west of Port Carling. This section of Hwy 118 between Henshaw Lake and Port Carling was relocated in 1967. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Northern side of the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Port Carling. The three-span structure was completed in 1974. The bridge consists of fixed spans over the Indian River and a walkway area and an opening span over the Port Carling Marine Lock. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - The Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 spans the Port Carling Marine Lock. This lock allows marine traffic to pass between Lake Rosseau and Mirror Lake. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - The Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 opens to allow marine traffic to pass through the lock below. This busy lock forms part of a recreational waterway system which connects Lake Muskoka with Lakes Joseph and Rosseau. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Approaching the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Port Carling, facing west. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Structure identification number and date stamp (1974) on the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing west across the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Port Carling. This two-lane lift bridge replaced an old one-lane swing bridge that was built in 1921. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing east across the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Close-up of the Port Carling Marine Lock below the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Southern side of the Joseph Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Sharp reverse curve on Hwy 118 on the eastern side of Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing east along Hwy 118 towards Bracebridge, just east of Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Former alignment of Hwy 118 (Pennwood Road) about 1 km east of Port Carling. This old highway curve was bypassed as a result of a relocation of Hwy 118 onto an improved alignment between Port Carling and Milford Bay in 1966. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Above - Commemorative sign on Hwy 118, indicating that this section of the highway is part of the Frank Miller Memorial Route. This was not a provincial designation. It was applied to sections of Hwy 118 and Hwy 169 several years after jurisdiction over these highways was transferred from the province to the District Municipality of Muskoka. The commemorative designation is a tribute to Frank Miller, who served as M.P.P. for Muskoka from 1971 until 1987 and who also briefly served as Premier of Ontario in 1985. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing east along the Milford Bay Bypass (Hwy 118) from Milford Bay Road approaching the Huckleberry Rock Cut. This massive rock cut was completed as part of a highway relocation project in the early 1960s. To this day, it remains one of the longest rock cuts ever constructed on the provincial highway system. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Entering the Huckleberry Rock Cut on Hwy 118 at Milford Bay, facing east towards Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - View of Hwy 118 from the top of the Huckleberry Rock Cut, facing west towards Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - The Huckleberry Rock Cut is situated on a long horizontal curve on Hwy 118. This section of Hwy 118 is actually a diversion that bypassed the narrow and winding original 1955 route of Hwy 118 which passed through the community of Milford Bay. The new 3 km highway diversion around Milford Bay is slightly shorter than the original highway. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - The Huckleberry Rock Cut on Hwy 118 is nearly half a kilometre in length. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Eastern entrance to the Huckleberry Rock Cut on Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing east along Hwy 118 towards Bracebridge in the Huckleberry Rock Cut. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 9, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - View of Lake Muskoka along Hwy 118 near Willow Beach west of Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 11, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - View of the Muskoka River in Bracebridge, facing east towards the Wellington Street Bridge on Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing north along Wellington Street (Hwy 118) at the Muskoka River Bridge in Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Commemorative plaque marking the completion of the Wellington Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Bracebridge in 1983. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - The ornamental stone pillars at the entrance and mid-span of the Wellington Street Bridge add to the bridge's aesthetic appeal. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Eastern side of the Wellington Street Bridge on Hwy 118 in Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Western side of the Wellington Street Bridge over the Muskoka River on Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Aluminum tube handrails on the Wellington Street Bridge over the Muskoka River on Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Structure identification number and date stamp (1983) on the Muskoka River Bridge on Wellington Street (Hwy 118) in Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Approaching the Muskoka River Bridge on Hwy 118 in Bracebridge. Until 1983, all traffic bound for Hwy 118 from Hwy 11 had to pass through Downtown Bracebridge, via Ecclestone Drive (at right). The completion of the Wellington Street Bridge across the Muskoka River in 1983 provided a western bypass around Downtown Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing east along Hwy 118 from the Muskoka River Bridge in Bracebridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on June 6, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Bracebridge Canadian National Railway (CNR) Subway on Ecclestone Drive (Old Hwy 11, later known as Hwy 118), facing south towards Gravenhurst. This former section of Hwy 11 was bypassed by a new Hwy 11 route which was established east of Bracebridge in the early 1950s. Ecclestone Drive (Old Hwy 11) was subsequently renumbered as part of Hwy 532, and more recently, as part of Hwy 118. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 12, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing north along Ecclestone Drive (Hwy 118) at the Bracebridge CNR Subway. This single-span concrete slab structure was completed in 1930. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 12, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Considering when it was built, the Bracebridge CNR Subway on Ecclestone Drive (Hwy 118) has an extraordinarily high vertical clearance of 17 feet (approximately 5.2 metres). Many railway subways built in the first half of the 20th Century had much lower vertical clearances, as vehicles on the roads at that time had smaller dimensions and required less room to navigate through these structures. Railway subways with poor vertical clearances often created physical barriers for transport trucks using the provincial highway system. As trucks became progressively larger, the low vertical clearances designed into some railway subways resulted in the premature replacement of these structures. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 12, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Close-up of the date stamp (1930) on the Bracebridge CNR Subway on Ecclestone Drive (Hwy 118). Careful observers will notice faded paint on this historic structure, which reads "CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS" and CNR's corporate pledge of "COURTESY - SAFETY - SERVICE". See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on September 12, 2007 - © Cameron Bevers)

Left - Facing south along Manitoba Street (Old Hwy 118) in Downtown Bracebridge. From 1955 until the mid-1970s, Hwy 118 followed Manitoba Street through Downtown Bracebridge. Historically, the route of Hwy 118 turned left onto Taylor Road at the traffic signals at the bottom of the hill. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 11, 2015 - © Cameron Bevers)

Right - Facing south along Manitoba Street (Old Hwy 118) in Downtown Bracebridge. Despite being bypassed by a new highway in the 1950s, the Bracebridge Town Centre has remained quite vibrant and active. Even in this late evening photograph, many of the parking spaces along the main street are still occupied. Unfortunately, Bracebridge was the exception rather than the rule. Many small and mid-sized towns in Ontario were not as successful, and experienced some degree of decline in their downtown areas after being bypassed by new highways. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 11, 2015 - © Cameron Bevers)

Above - Facing north along Manitoba Street (Old Hwy 118) departing Downtown Bracebridge. Historically, the route of Hwy 118 turned left onto Monck Road about 500 metres ahead, and continued west towards Port Carling. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photograph taken on July 11, 2015 - © Cameron Bevers)