Construction of the Essa Road-Highway 400 interchange in Barrie could begin next spring, giving gridlocked drivers some hope.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) made the announcement Thursday afternoon, although the work is subject to funding and other government approvals.
“My initial response is that this is a very welcomed project to address traffic in this area,” said Coun. Jim Harris. “It is expected to have a very positive impact on our transportation network by alleviating current pressure and making the area safer.”
The project involves widening Essa Road from four to six lanes between the Bryne Drive-Ardagh Road intersection and the Fairview Road intersection, with the addition of a multi-use pathway on the north side of Essa, along with replacing the Highway 400 bridge at Essa Road to accommodate the highway’s future widening to 10 lanes.
The work is also to include reconstructing the Highway 400-Essa Road interchange, including the addition of a dedicated ramp from eastbound Essa Road to southbound Highway 400 — plus a new bridge to allow the ramp to cross the commercial access road in the southwest quadrant of the interchange.
Traffic signals at the new ramp terminals would be replaced, as would the storm sewers. Culverts would be extended and there would be other stormwater management measures. There would also be median tall wall concrete barrier improvements, pavement rehabilitation and safety upgrades.
Harris said city staff have not had many complaints from a vehicular perspective for this area, which is busy at peak times.
“However, they have received many complaints about the lack of pedestrian and active transportation facilities in the area,” said the Ward 8 councillor. “It is expected the project will provide significant improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The vehicular complaints centre on the queuing on Fairview (Road), which has been reduced recently with the Harvie (Road) extension. The Bryne Drive extension will complement this further by providing another option for drivers,” Harris added.
Additional sidewalks on both sides, active transportation improvements, improved lights, reconfigured ramps and widening Essa Road will help reduce peak traffic flows, volume and timing, he said.
Provincial funding for the future widening of Highway 400 has not been approved, the MTO has said.
The MTO is currently involved, at various stages, in the replacement of three Highway 400 bridges in Barrie — at Anne Street, Dunlop Street and Sunnidale Road. This work is being done as part of the ministry’s highway rehabilitation program.
The MTO demolished the Anne Street bridge over the 400 in early June in order to build a replacement. The bridge closure is anticipated to last approximately 18 months, until November 2022. This construction includes significant roadwork on the 400, from Dunlop to St. Vincent Street.
The Sunnidale Road underpass bridge will also be replaced. This project includes pavement resurfacing for the 400 from south of Sunnidale Road to north of Bayfield Street, including its roadway and ramps, median replacement, drainage improvements and an extension of the Kidd’s Creek culvert.
The MTO says construction of the Sunnidale Road bridge replacement is anticipated to begin in 2023-2024 — but the timing of projects is subject to change, based on funding, planning approvals, design, property acquisition and construction requirements. Utility relocation and any other preparatory works will begin in advance of construction.
The ministry says the replaced Sunnidale Road bridge will be two lanes and widened to accommodate the future widening to 10 lanes of Highway 400.
The Harvie/Big Bay Point Road crossing over Highway 400 was completed in the early summer. It connects Harvie Road to Big Bay Point Road across the 400. The bridge has five lanes for vehicle traffic, two separate lanes for bicycles and two sidewalks for pedestrians.
The $76-million crossing can handle 20,000 vehicles a day and is designed to significantly reduce volumes on Essa Road, Mapleview Drive and other streets in the area.
While Essa/400 construction staging has been developed to minimize traffic disruptions, short-duration lane and ramp closures would be required and detours would be provided. Temporary carpool lot closures will be required, but one will remain open at any given time.
The design and construction report is available for a 30-day public comment period ending on Jan. 4, 2022. This document is available electronically on the project website.
Those interested may also provide written comments to the project team by Jan. 4, 2022.
Comments can also be e-mailed to [email protected].
