Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is continuing on the McKay Road East watermain and trunk sanitary sewer project in Barrie, with the city confirming the road will remain fully closed through 2026 to allow work to proceed more efficiently.
The project involves installing a new watermain along approximately 800 metres of McKay Road East, from east to west of Highway 400, as well as a new trunk sanitary sewer between Highway 400 and Huronia Road. The work is part of broader infrastructure upgrades intended to support Barrie’s long-term growth.
McKay Road East was identified as a key transportation corridor in the City of Barrie’s Multi-Modal Active Transportation Master Plan, which outlines improvements needed to accommodate growth to 2031. The project is implementing the preferred servicing solution identified through the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.
The City of Barrie has retained Ainley Group to provide engineering design, construction inspection and contract administration services for the new sewer installation on McKay Road East and the reconstruction of Huronia Road.
Funding support for the project was announced March 28, 2025, with provincial contributions through Ontario’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund.
In a project update issued Jan. 19, the city said it is working with the contractor to advance both stages of construction by maintaining a full road closure throughout 2026. City officials said the approach is expected to improve construction efficiency, enhance site safety and reduce overall disruption by avoiding multiple closures.
The original construction schedule called for McKay Road East to reopen on Jan. 23, 2026, with additional closures planned later in the year. Following further review, the project team identified opportunities to carry out Stage 1 and Stage 2 work concurrently, requiring an extended closure to support continuous construction.
An information bulletin outlining the revised schedule was distributed to nearby residents in January. Details on road closures related to the project are available on the city’s website.
The McKay Road East watermain and trunk sanitary sewer project is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in spring 2028.
