Ontario Construction News staff writer
Phase 1A of the Dunlop Streetscape Project in Barrie has wrapped up and the street has reopened, just in time for the Remembrance Day Ceremony today and the annual Downtown Barrie Tree Lighting Celebration on Nov. 16.
Sidewalks, building aprons and planter boxes have been poured and installed. Removable bollards are also now installed and during the week of Nov. 4, paver stone installation was completed, the paving of the base course and the temporary asphalt was poured.
Construction will resume in early 2020 with Phase 1B on Dunlop Street from Owen to Clapperton. The second phase, expected to last through Summer 2020, will include the Owen Street intersection culvert, roadway and boulevard improvements in the section between Owen Street and the intersection with Bayfield Street and redevelopment of the Five Points intersection.
Shoppers and pedestrians continue to have full access to businesses throughout the project area and all parking lots are open – with two hours of free parking available in the Collier St Parkade on the fourth floor.
The new Dunlop streetscape will shift downtown Barrie to a pedestrian-focused main street with a flexible street with rolling curbs, wide sidewalks, new streetlights and new look.
Project features include:
- a patio program providing operational flexibility and ease of implementation on a seasonal basis
- renewal of existing infrastructure (sanitary and storm sewers, watermain and utilities) as deemed necessary
- green infrastructure throughout the corridor to assist in the removal of road pollutants from stormwater run-off while providing fertile environments for the long-term health of street trees
- modernized street parking with the replacement of parking meters with centralized ‘pay-and-display’ stations
- low Impact Design (LID) upgrades to conform to current design standards
- utility upgrades (gas, telephone, cable, electricity, internet)
- roadway improvements to accommodate transit service vehicles
Phase 2 will include roadway and boulevard improvements between Bayfield and Toronto Streets and is schedule for completion in Winter 2020.