Bridge construction setting stage for Highway 400 expansion through Barrie

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Several years of work remain on Highway 400 infrastructure through Barrie as several major bridges line up for overhauls.

The reconstruction of the Anne Street bridge over Highway 400 is currently on track to be completed this year. The project also includes:

  • pavement resurfacing of Highway 400 from north of Dunlop Street to north of Sunnidale Road and from north of Bayfield Street to north of St. Vincent Street
  • Highway 400 median barrier replacement
  • drainage improvements within the resurfacing limits
  • installation of noise walls in the vicinity of Anne Street, Bayfield Street and Duckworth Street.

barrie 400And it’s just the beginning, with tens of millions of dollars in work ahead with work planned at Dunlop Street and McKay, Essa and Sunnidale roads. The Ministry of Transportation is completing construction in anticipation of the future widening of the highway to 10 lanes through the city.

McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers completed design and class environmental assessment studies for the replacement of three bridges – Dunlop Street, Anne Street and Sunnidale Road in Barrie.

Also included is reconstruction of the Dunlop Street and Highway 400 interchange, Highway 400 pavement resurfacing from Dunlop Street to north of St. Vincent Street, Bayfield Street ramp resurfacing, Highway 400 median barrier replacement, drainage improvements within the resurfacing limits, design of noise walls in the vicinity of Dunlop, Anne and Duckworth and provision for Highway 400 future full illumination.

This project is divided into three separate contract packages with separate timelines.

Construction of the Sunnidale Road bridge will begin early next year to rehabilitate the Highway 400 corridor from south of Sunnidale Road to north of Bayfield Street, including the replacement of the Sunnidale Road Underpass Bridge.

The scope of work includes:

  • Replacing the existing Sunnidale Road Underpass at Highway 400
  • Lengthening the Sunnidale Road Underpass to accommodate future widening of Highway 400 to 10 lanes
  • Widening Sunnidale Road to accommodate future active transportation installed by other
  • Highway 400 pavement rehabilitation from south of Sunnidale Road to north of Bayfield Street, including Bayfield Street and interchange ramps
  • Extending culvert C-78 and constructing a retaining wall to accommodate Highway 400 widening
  • Replacing median storm sewer and median barrier within Highway 400 reconstruction limits

At Dunlop Street, construction will include:

  • Replacing the existing Dunlop Street Underpass at Highway 400;
  • Lengthening the Dunlop Street Underpass to accommodate future widening of Highway 400 to 10 lanes;
  • Widening Dunlop Street Bridge to accommodate City of Barrie request.
  • Highway 400 pavement rehabilitation from south of Dunlop Street to south of Anne Street.
  • Re-configuration of the Highway 400 and Dunlop Street Interchange, including on-ramps, off-ramps, and intersections.
  • Installing a noise wall at the previously approved northbound on-ramp.
  • Replacement of two culverts under Highway 400 and various culverts within the Dunlop Street interchange.
  • Replacing median storm sewer and median barrier within Highway 400 reconstruction limits.

While work is expected to begin in 2023 on the Sunnidale Road bridge, MTO officials say the project is still waiting for funding, planning approvals, design, property acquisition and construction requirements. Utility relocation and any other preparatory works will begin in advance of construction.

Work began in June on a new interchange at Essa Road and Highway 400 to widen Essa Road to six lanes.

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