The Ontario government is awarding a contract to AECOM Canada Ltd. (AECOM) to design 6.5 kilometres of the western section of the Bradford Bypass, marking a milestone in the province’s plan to build the new four-lane, 16-kilometre highway.

“As Ontario grows at a historic rate, there has never been a more urgent time to get shovels in the ground and build new highways and roads,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Not only will the Bradford Bypass help save a generation of drivers from bumper-to-bumper traffic, but it will also create good-paying jobs and drive economic growth for decades to come.”

The western section of the Bradford Bypass, for which the contract is being awarded, will run 6.5 kilometres from Highway 400 to Simcoe Road 4. In the meantime, preliminary work for the Bradford Bypass is currently underway with construction of a new bridge at Simcoe Road 4 and the widening of County Road 4 from two to four lanes.

“For far too long the residents of York Simcoe have been waiting for results on this critical freeway,” said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York Simcoe. “Today's announcement is the next step in our plan to get shovels in the ground.”

The Bradford Bypass will link communities in York Region and Simcoe County. According to the provincial government, during construction, the project is expected to support up to 2,200 jobs annually and contribute up to $286 million to the province’s GDP.