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
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.