Barrie investing $100M in road construction and infrastructure improvements
The City of Barrie has announced $100 million worth of road improvement and infrastructure upgrade projects to be completed this year.
“City Council is making significant investment in our roads – a total of over $100 million will be invested in infrastructure improvements, new road construction, and repaving projects in Barrie this year,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “In 2025, we’re undertaking 27 construction projects, as well as paving 42 kilometres of roadway. With every project completed, we’re laying the foundation for a more vibrant, accessible, and thriving community.”
The major projects include:
- Ongoing work on Bayview Drive between Little Avenue and Big Bay Point Road. These include lane widening, infrastructure replacements, new bike lanes, and a new sidewalk. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.
- Construction will soon be completed on improvements to Duckworth Street improvements and the Grove Street East watermain. The project provides a new watermain, sewer replacements, new sidewalks, new pavement, intersection upgrades, and road widening.
- Preparations are progressing for the multi-year initiative to replace the Dunlop Street bridge. This project will include a full bridge replacement and interchange reconfiguration at Highway 400 and is expected to take approximately four years to complete.
- Work on the Eugenia Street reconstruction & Wellington D1 neighbourhood reconstruction program is underway and replaces aging underground infrastructure, deteriorating roads, and expands the water network to support future growth.
- The Essa Road interchange & Highway 400 overpass replacement project is nearing completion with a widened road and a new highway overpass. These improvements will enhance traffic flow in the south end and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Completion is expected by the end of the year.
- Preparations are underway for major transportation and infrastructure upgrades along Huronia Road. This project will widen the corridor and add a new trunk sanitary sewer between Lockhart Road and the southern city limit. Early work has begun, with full construction expected to ramp up later this summer.
- A stretch of Mapleview Drive East between Yonge Street and Prince William Way is being widened to four lanes, with new multi-use trails added on both sides. Completion is expected by spring 2028.
- In the Queens Park neighbourhood, work continues to replace some of Barrie’s oldest infrastructure and includes road upgrades, new underground services, and the relocation of the Sophia Creek culvert. Completion is expected in 2026.
- The multi-year storm sewer upgrade along Owen Street and Sophia Street East will help reduce the risk of flooding downtown by replacing aging stormwater infrastructure. Construction will continue in phases until Summer 2027, with road closures shifting as the work progresses.
The city says several road resurfacing projects will also be completed this year to prevent deterioration and costly repairs.