It’s going to be a summer of traffic cones, detours and fresh pavement as Mayor Alex Nuttall has announced the City of Barrie is investing $100 million into road construction and infrastructure upgrades.
There are multiple roadwork projects currently happening and others that will start up this summer. According to the city, the projects are:
- Bayview Drive transportation improvements
- Duckworth Street improvements and Grove Street East watermain
- Dunlop Street bridge replacement
- Eugenia Street reconstruction and Wellington D1 neighbourhood reconstruction program • Esaa Road interchange and Highway 400 overpass replacement
- Huronia Road transportation improvements and trunk sanitary sewer
- Mapleview Drive East transportation improvements
- Queens Park A1 neighbourhood reconstruction program
- Sophia trunk storm sewers at Owen Street and Sophia Street East
Nuttall said the city has launched 27 construction projects and repaving 42 kilometres of roadway, stressing the importance of continued investment in Barrie’s road infrastructure.
“With the arrival of warm weather, construction season is underway. City council is making a significant investment in our roads — over $100 million will be spent on infrastructure improvements, new road construction and repaving projects in Barrie this year,” he said.
“With every project completed, we’re laying the foundation for a more vibrant, accessible and thriving community.”
He said the work aims to improve road safety, decrease congestion and prepare for future growth.
“This work is about more than just concrete and asphalt. It’s about creating safer roads, reducing congestion, and preparing for the future growth that continues to drive the city’s success,” he said.
He added that environmental concerns are being considered for projects near the Kempenfelt Bay shoreline.
“Some of these projects, like those in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood or even in the Eugenia and Wellington Street areas, involve not just the roads themselves, but also critical infrastructure beneath them that helps protect the environment,” he said.
“These are good things — they help preserve our lake and improve how we get around but they can also be frustrating while they’re happening. I’ve certainly lived through those construction zones myself.”
For more information on Barrie’s roadwork and infrastructure projects, residents can visit barrie.ca/roadwork.
