Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has awarded a new contract to manage the construction of the Bradford Bypass, a key highway project designed to alleviate traffic congestion north of Toronto. This announcement comes as engineers involved in the project withdraw their labor due to an ongoing contract dispute with the government.
Miller/Brennan has been awarded the contract to oversee the construction of the western portion of the bypass, which is part of a broader initiative that the Progressive Conservatives highlighted during their 2022 re-election campaign. The project promises billions of dollars in new roadways aimed at addressing gridlock in the region.
The Bradford Bypass will connect Highway 400 and Highway 404, spanning 6.5 kilometres. Earlier this year, the design contract for the route was awarded to AECOM.
“We are well underway,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, emphasizing that preparatory work, including the construction of a new bridge, has already begun. “You’ll see heavy construction on that Bradford Bypass piece very soon, but a lot of the work to enable it has continued. We are full steam ahead in building the Bradford Bypass.”
Early project work is already underway, with crews recently completing a new bridge at Simcoe County Road 4 that will help keep traffic moving in West Gwillimbury. Construction is also underway on a Highway 400 southbound lane that will connect to the future expressway.
“Residents across York-Simcoe have been waiting decades for the Bradford Bypass to finally be built,” said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York Simcoe. “Our government is making consistent progress on this project which will get farmers’ crops to market and more people moving across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”
However, progress on the project has been impacted by the withdrawal of engineers from the Professional Engineers Government of Ontario union, who have ceased work on key aspects of the project. This action is part of a strategy to negotiate improved contract terms with the provincial government. The union’s withdrawal, combined with work-to-rule measures, is expected to slow infrastructure-building on several key projects.
“My colleague the President of the Treasury Board is working hard to resolve this issue,” Sarkaria said. “We’re looking at mitigation measures, but let me be clear: we’re moving full speed ahead.
“This project is too important not to build, and we are moving ahead without delay.”
