Barrie outlines details of $110M road and infrastructure program

Posted on July 04, 2024

The City of Barrie intends to start or continue with work on more than $110 million worth of road improvements and infrastructure upgrades this summer.

“City Council is making significant investment in our roads–a total of over $110 million will be invested in infrastructure improvements, new road construction, and repaving projects in Barrie this year,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “In 2024, we’re undertaking over 20 construction projects, as well as paving and re-paving 20 kilometres of roadway. Once complete, these major investments will ensure our city will continue to thrive.”

Some of the highlights of the projects that are either planned or already underway include:

Construction work on Bayview Drive, between Little Avenue and Big Bay Point Road, will include lane widening, infrastructure replacements, new bike lanes, and a new sidewalk. The entire project will be complete in 2026.

The ongoing Duckworth Street improvements & Grove Street East watermain project, which will be complete next spring, includes road reconstruction and adding a new watermain, sidewalks, pavement, sewer replacements, and intersection upgrades.

The Essa Road interchange & Highway 400 overpass replacement will be complete by the end of 2025. The ongoing current work includes lane closures, which are in place until this fall. Once complete, this project will help with traffic flow in the south end, make it easier to access the highway, and create safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

A new project starting up this summer is work on the Sophia Creek tributary storm outlet near Meridian Place. The project supports Barrie’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and will help reduce flooding downtown.

The city also says a record number of road resurfacing projects will be done this year – to prevent deterioration and costly repairs.