Construction on a new bridge over Highway 400 that will connect Harvie Road and Big Bay Point Road is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2020, Mayor Jeff Lehman announced Wednesday at a ceremony to mark the beginning of construction.
“This part of the city has suffered from congestion, as there’s no way to get from the west to the east between Essa and Mapleview... until now,” said Lehman. “This will be a key new link that will become one of the most important links in the city.”
Lehman emphasized the number of industries and groups that came together to make the project possible, including city planning staff, the Ministry of Transportation and the Huron Wendat, who assisted with the archeological study.
“We hope to move forward (with this project) in the spirit of reconciliation,” said Lehman.
All required private properties along Big Bay Point Road and Fairview Road are now owned by the city. In addition, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has agreed to sell the required portion of its property to the city.
The beginning of construction on Big Bay Point Road side was completed in March. The access roads near Fairview Road are slated to start next month, and the utilities will be started in June as well.
“It’s been a long road to get here – pardon the pun,” laughed Lehman.
The main project is to be tendered in the summer, with main construction anticipated to start ahead of schedule this fall.
For more information on this project from when it was presented at council, click here.
For more details and updates on this project and others from the City of Barrie, click here.
-- with files from Raymond Bowe
