Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction of the Bradford Bypass is moving into a new phase, with work underway that will affect travel on Line 9 in Bradford West Gwillimbury for the next several years.
According to the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO), a section of Line 9 between Sideroad 5 and Sideroad 10 closed to through traffic on July 6 as crews begin major construction on the western section of the highway. Construction is expected to last three years.
The affected portion of Line 9 extends about 150 metres on either side of the Highway 400 crossing, where crews are building the western portion of Highway 425. The work includes new interchanges, bridge replacements, temporary structures and the movement of heavy construction equipment.
The Bradford Bypass, officially Highway 425, will span 16.3 kilometres and connect Highway 400 and Highway 404. It is designed as a four-lane controlled-access highway, with the ability to expand to eight lanes in the future, including a dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lane.
The western section will include interchanges at Yonge Street and Sideroad 10, with planned traffic signals, partial lighting and multi-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Paved shoulders will also be included along Line 9 where it crosses the future interchange.
Several design changes have been made as planning for the project has progressed. Temporary impacts are now expected at Henderson Field during utility relocation work along Sideroad 10, including changes to electrical and sprinkler control infrastructure.
An updated traffic noise assessment resulted in an extension of the planned noise barrier north of Crossland Boulevard, increasing it from 720 metres to about 850 metres.
The updated design also removed a planned stormwater pond northeast of the future Highway 425 and Sideroad 10 interchange.
At Highway 400, two culverts originally planned for extension will now be replaced, while another culvert within the Highway 400 and Highway 425 interchange area will be relocated.
