Ontario issues RFP for Bradford Bypass bridge crossing
The Ontario government has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for companies to design and build a bridge crossing for the Bradford Bypass, a new four-lane freeway connecting Highway 400 and Highway 404 in Simcoe County and York Region.
The province made the announcement on November 26. The RFP is the first step of the project to build the controversial new road that will extend from Highway 400 between 8th Line and 9th Line in Bradford West Gwillimbury to Highway 404 between Queensville Sideroad and Holborn Road in East Gwillimbury.
The project will support more than 700 jobs per year on average during construction and generate more than $70 million in annual real GDP.
“With Simcoe County and York Region expected to experience rapid growth over the next 10 to 20 years, investing in this new corridor is absolutely necessary if we are going to ease gridlock on Highway 400 and existing east-west local roads,” said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.
Once operational, the road is expected to save commuters as many as 35 minutes per trip compared to existing routes along local roads.
Following the initial Expression of Interest phase, shortlisted teams are being invited to submit proposals to design and construct a grade separated bridge crossing for the bypass on Simcoe County Road 4 (Yonge Street) between 8th Line and 9th Line. The bridge will include the widening of County Road 4 from two to four lanes in this section.
“We are getting shovels in the ground to build critical transportation infrastructure, including highways, roads and bridges,” said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma. “This important infrastructure is helping to ensure frontline workers get to where they need to go and is also supporting the distribution of vaccines and PPE.”
Early works construction on the bridge crossing is expected to begin in late 2022.
Meanwhile, a preliminary design and project specific assessment of environmental impacts for the project is underway with an expected completion date of December 2022.
The government has invested approximately $2.6 billion in funding for 2021–22 in support of the Ontario Highways Program, which features more than 580 expansion and rehabilitation projects, including the Bradford Bypass.