Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Barrie is set to receive $11.4 million in federal funding over the next decade to modernize, upgrade, and maintain its public transit infrastructure.
Funding is part of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) and will be allocated from 2026 through 2036. The investment aims to enhance Barrie’s transit systems, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support climate change mitigation efforts, and make housing more affordable in the region.
The CPTF is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history, designed to meet the needs of communities of all sizes, including rural and northern areas. The funding will support the development of complete, transit-oriented communities, which will ultimately help increase housing supply and affordability while also addressing environmental concerns.
“We are committed to building affordable, connected, and sustainable communities across the country. The federal government’s investments in Barrie will make a big difference,” said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, minister of housing, infrastructure and communities.
A new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal on Essa Road has been under construction for about a year. Along with a “downtown mini-hub” the facility will replace the current downtown bus terminal on Maple Avenue.
According to a recent project update, site activities this month include structural steel installation, block work, masonry, building rough ins and drywall installation. Testing and inspections for compliance are ongoing.
Also, stage II archaeological monitoring and associated investigations are ongoing.
“High-quality public transit makes life more affordable and connects our communities. This investment of $11 million over 10 years will allow us to upgrade, replace and maintain our transit infrastructure, ensuring a modern, reliable, and efficient system for our residents,” said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttal. “On behalf of the City of Barrie, I want to thank Minister Erskine-Smith and the Government of Canada for their ongoing commitment to improving public transit in our community.”
The CPTF will provide long-term funding for transit infrastructure projects, with a focus on expanding transit access and improving the environmental sustainability of communities. Beginning in 2026, the fund will deliver an average of $3 billion annually, which will support a range of projects across Canada, from metro-regions to rural and Indigenous communities.
