Ontario Construction News staff writer
A construction contract has been awarded to Dufferin Construction Company and work will include building part of a southbound lane on Highway 400 that will connect to the new Bradford Bypass, reconstruction of the Highway 400-Simcoe County Road 88 interchange and its underpass bridge, widening Simcoe County Road 88 from two to four lanes and widening the Highway 400 platform to accommodate future expansion to 10 lanes.
Construction on the new project will begin this summer.
“ACEC-Ontario applauds the government’s continued commitment to connecting communities across the province,” said Andrew Hurd, executive director, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Ontario. “Projects like the Bradford Bypass will yield benefits that extend not only to our grandchildren but also to their children.
“Consulting engineers grasp the significance of this vision and are committed to fostering its success.”
Work is also underway on:
- widening four kilometres of Highway 400 from Langstaff Road to Major MacKenzie Drive from eight to 10 lanes. A new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane is being added in each direction.
- widening 9.5 kilometres of Highway 400 from Major Mackenzie Drive to King Road from eight to 10 lanes is currently underway. One general purpose lane is being added in each direction.
- widening 12 kilometres of Highway 400 from King Road to Highway 9 from six to 10 lanes is currently underway. One HOV lane and one general purpose lane is being added in each direction.
The Highway 400-Simcoe County Road 88 underpass is one of several bridges that will be upgraded to accommodate the future Highway 400 widening.
In May, the Ontario government awarded the contract for the detail design of the west section of the Bradford Bypass, which will run 6.5 kilometres from Highway 400 to Simcoe County Road 4. The Bradford Bypass will be a vital link for communities in York Region and Simcoe County, providing better connections to jobs and housing. During construction, the project is expected to support up to 2,200 jobs annually and contribute up to $286 million to the province’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“I’m proud to recognize the Ontario government’s innovative initiative with the construction of the Highway 400 interchange at Simcoe County Road 88 and the southbound lane extension,” said James Leduc, Mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury. “The project marks a significant milestone for our province, showcasing a proactive approach to combatting gridlock and congestion across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
“By enhancing connectivity and reducing travel times, this development will not only benefit residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury but will also stimulate regional economic growth and create new employment opportunities.”