Highly anticipated $80M overpass in Barrie nearly open
After five years and nearly $80 million, a new overpass in Barrie's south end is about to open.
Motorists have been driving under the new Harvie Road overpass for months, and in mere days, the bridge will be open for drivers to use.
The first plans were drawn up for the $76 million overpass five years ago. After three years of construction, the city says there are only a few small things left to do before it can open.
"We need to work on some of the street lighting, we're trying to get those powered up, and we also have some safety handrails to finish up and do some of the last-minute traffic light adjustments," said Bala Araniyasundaran, the director of infrastructure for the City of Barrie.
The city hopes to get it open before Mon. June 28.
The City's population is expected to skyrocket over the next couple of decades, and the City says this new look will help make people's lives easier and less stressful.
"This is a vital crossing across the highway 400, so it really relieves the congestion that we have in the south end where Mapleview drive is the primary crossing," said Araniyasundaran.
"This just gives that ultimate route for the traffic and will be critical in relieving the congestion we have in the south end."
The City expects about 20,000 vehicles to use the overpass daily once it's open. That number is expected to double in the next 15 years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.