Lake Simcoe airport wraps up phase one of expansion
Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (LSRA) moves forward with its expansion to attract more business to the region.
The first phase of the expansion has been completed, according to the County of Simcoe. This step included widening the runway from 100 to 150 feet, installing LED high-intensity lighting, machinery and enhanced infrastructure.
The project, which has been in the works for nearly a year and a half, is part of a $60 million plan to enhance the LSRA and allow area businesses to utilize the airport to receive shipments worldwide, said the County.
"We're pleased that the runway widening project was completed ahead of schedule and in time for CBSA's most recent announcement, which supports businesses and corporate partners at the LSRA," wrote County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell.
In Aug. 2020, the province announced that the County of Simcoe would receive $1.5 million toward the expansion.
On Feb. 5, the County's initial estimated cost for upgrades to enhance safety measures for adverse weather was around $6.1 million, with the County's overall investment estimated at $3.5 million.
An additional $345,000 came from the City of Barrie, according to the County.
On Monday, the County said the project is approximately four months ahead of schedule. This comes as LSRA was chosen by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to have its clearance status reinstated, allowing international flights to resume in and out of the LSRA following all COVID safety protocols, according to the County.
"Given our proximity to the GTA and Simcoe County's world-class manufacturing business, the LSRA is a huge economic asset for our region and will become even more critical as our economy and manufacturing sectors continue to grow," said Richard Norcross, a County Councillor and LSRA Board Chair.
Phase two of the runway project is now undergoing approvals, which includes extending the runway from 6,001 to 7,000 feet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
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.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
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.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.