Construction work starts on project to connect Hwy 400 to the Bradford Bypass
The Ontario government has announced the start of construction on the project to connect Highway 400 to the future Bradford Bypass.
“Our government is delivering on its promise to build the Bradford Bypass, expand our highway network and get people where they need to go,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Combined with the widening of Highway 400, these investments will help tackle gridlock, shorten travel times, and drive economic growth.”
The construction contract has been awarded to Dufferin Construction Company. It includes building part of a southbound lane on Highway 400 that will connect to the new Bradford Bypass, rebuilding the Highway 400-Simcoe County Road 88 interchange and its underpass bridge, widening Simcoe County Road 88 from two to four lanes and widening the Highway 400 platform to accommodate future expansion to 10 lanes.
Construction has already started on widening four kilometres of Highway 400 from Langstaff Road to Major MacKenzie Drive from eight to 10 lanes. A new high occupancy vehicle lane is being added in each direction.
Work is also under way to widen 9.5 kilometres of Highway 400 from Major Mackenzie Drive to King Road from eight to 10 lanes. One general purpose lane is being added in each direction.
Additionally, the work to widen 12 kilometres of Highway 400 from King Road to Highway 9 from six to 10 lanes is currently underway. One HOV lane and one general purpose lane is being added in each direction.
The Highway 400-Simcoe County Road 88 underpass is one of several bridges that will be upgraded to accommodate the future Highway 400 widening.
"RCCAO welcomes these concrete next steps by the Ontario government to build the Bradford Bypass and add transportation network capacity in this fast-growing region,” said Nadia Todorova Executive Director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario. “This critical piece of transportation infrastructure will better connect communities and improve the movement of people and goods in the northern part of the GTA, spurring economic development and enhancing the quality of life for residents."
In May, the province awarded the contract for the detail design of the west section of the Bradford Bypass to AECOM Canada. The scope will run 6.5 kilometres from Highway 400 to Simcoe County Road 4. The Bradford Bypass will vital communities in York Region and Simcoe County, providing better connections to jobs and housing.
During construction, the project is expected to support up to 2,200 jobs annually and contribute up to $286 million to the province’s gross domestic product.