When one stretch finishes, another begins.
This year marked a milestone with the recent completion of a two-kilometre stretch of County Road 21 — known more commonly as Innisfil Beach Road (IBR) — between town hall and the 20th Sideroad. But that’s just the end of the beginning. Construction is slated to start on two more sections of the roadway in 2024, around the 20th intersection and along a 2.6-km strip running from County Road 54 (10th Sideroad) to County Road 4 (Yonge Street).
Work at the 20th intersection should commence in the spring. Here, IBR will be widened from two to four lanes, with a one-metre-flush median and a multi-use trail proposed. Two sets of traffic signals will be installed at this offset intersection, as well as a new Metrolinx crossing system.
The County of Simcoe is overseeing the entire IBR project, in partnership with the InnServices utility.
“This work addresses increased traffic flow and population growth in the area, as an important connecting road within Simcoe,” county transportation construction manager Julie Scruton told InnisfilToday. “Work will improve stormwater drainage in the area and provide water and sewer servicing to support future developments. We are also excited about the multi-use trail component of the project, which will facilitate further active transportation and connect to work completed in Phase 1.”
The recently completed stretch was widened to four lanes, with storm water enhancements and an off-road trail that links Alcona to the Innisfil municipal campus added.
It is anticipated the 10th to Yonge work will occur over two construction seasons in 2024 and 2025, with a winter shutdown in between.
Along this section, IBR will be widened from two to four lanes as well, with a one-metre-flush median planned. A multi-use trail will be constructed on the north side of the road.
“The existing Lover’s Creek culvert will be replaced with an open bottom pre-cast culvert on helical piles,” Scruton said. “During road construction, watermain and sanitary sewer forcemain and service laterals will be installed on behalf of InnServices. Utility relocates are ongoing in advance of construction planned for summer 2024.”
Scruton said the IBR entire project, which actually stretches from the 20th to County Road 27 near Thornton, is expected to cost $73.7 million.
In mid-November, Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin warned that, although completion of the initial phase was welcome and long overdue following significant construction delays, more work was coming.
“This is a huge project,” she said. “It’s a massive undertaking. I’m looking forward to the whole project getting done. But definitely, this has been a sore spot for people and I totally get it.”
Since GO Transit train tracks run directly through the area around the 20th intersection, that portion of the plan had to be coordinated with Metrolinx, she said.
“I’ll be really excited to see that intersection redone,” Dollin said.
It's important to note, too, that this work is all separate from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation work happening at the IBR and Highway 400 interchange, which is expected to continue until 2025.
For more details on the initial phase of the project, visit simcoe.ca.
