Barrie traffic will be a little tighter tonight on the eve of Kempenfest.
The city says "unforeseen circumstances" require an additional overnight full closure of eastbound Essa Road, toward downtown Barrie, from Fairview Road to Ardagh Road.
This closure will be from 11 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 until 5 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.
The road closure is so that bridge girders can be erected.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is constructing a new interchange at Essa Road and Highway 400, while also widening Essa Road to six lanes between Fairview Road and Bryne Drive/Ardagh Road. This work also includes significant roadwork on Highway 400, between Harvie Road and Tiffin Street.
The project’s construction phase began in June 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2025.
Kempenfest, the giant waterfront festival, runs Aug. 2-5 on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay.