This project consists of building an inter-regional transit hub within Barrie's Allandale area and a Downtown Mini Hub to host transit services and connections through a more integrated public transit system.
This project includes the following major components:
- The Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal (previously known as Allandale Transit Mobility Hub) will be located within Barrie's Allandale area to centrally locate an inter-regional transit hub with adjacency to the existing rail corridor. This hub will host seamless transit services and connections between Simcoe County, Muskoka, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- The Downtown Mini Hub will include bus stops and sheltered waiting areas located on Maple Avenue. These bus stops will maintain downtown transit service levels and provide direct access routes to and from the downtown. Reducing the footprint of the current transit terminal (24 Maple Avenue) within the downtown while preserving route coverage will support downtown revitalization objectives and provide continued access to Barrie's busiest destination.
Please visit buildingbarrie.ca/MobilityHub for information on community engagement related to this project.
Project Updates
November 14, 2024
Construction at the Downtown Mini Hub on Maple Avenue continues. Once the closure of the east side of Maple Avenue is complete (which is expected to be November 22) the road will be open in both directions.
Work on the west side of Maple is now expected to be done in spring 2025. A closure of the west side (southbound) of Maple will be required to complete the remaining road modifications. Further details will be provided.
November 7, 2024
- Construction at the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal progresses. Ongoing site activities include footings, pier elevations, steel erection, site servicing, utility rough-ins, backfilling, fence installation and block work. Testing and inspections for compliance are ongoing. Stage II Archaeological Monitoring continues on site. Learn about the access impacts during construction.
- The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) modification request for the construction phase has been approved.
- Construction at the Downtown Mini Hub on Maple Avenue progresses. A partial road closure on the east side (northbound) of Maple continues to be in effect until November 22, with traffic on Maple going one-way southbound. Bus detour details are available at myridebarrie.ca/news. Pedestrian access is maintained.
Previous Updates
Access During Construction
There is no access at Allandale Station to the following during construction of the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal at 20 Essa Road:
- Bus platforms 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. As a result, Barrie Transit Routes 7, 8, and 12, Transit On Demand zones C and D, Linx Buses, and GO Buses will be on a slight detour and will service temporary stops on Essa and Tiffin. Visit myridebarrie.ca/news for bus route detour plans.
- The Lakeshore and Tiffin intersection vehicle access to the pick-up and drop-off area.
Access remains open to the following during construction:
- GO Train and platforms
- The eastern vehicle access to the pick-up and drop-off area
- The vehicle pick-up and drop-off area
- The pedestrian tunnel to and from Gowan Street
Please refer to the public access map detailing the area of construction, service impacts and routing.
Public Art
The project will include a commissioned work of public art in the outdoor plaza at the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal. The location was predetermined by the site design and will be installed in 2025 as part of the construction project scope. Renderings are included in the photos below.
Learn about the approved public art
Support & Funding
The Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal and Downtown Mini Hub is supported and funded by the Government of Canada (40% contribution) and Government of Ontario (33.33% contribution) through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The City's contribution covers the remaining 26.67%.
Project Benefits
There are many anticipated benefits from building a new transit terminal within Barrie's Allandale area. The project will:
- support Barrie Transit growth to best meet the needs and goals of today, and tomorrow.
- increase transit access to the Allandale GO station to provide a more sustainable travel choice and address parking constraints.
- provide seamless connections for Transit Riders between GO Trains/Buses and Ontario Northland for integrated transit access to Simcoe County, Muskoka and the GTA.
- provide a geographically centralized hub within the city.
- provide a safer transit site by encouraging safe circulation and linkages between bus, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic.
- provide express bus stops with a lay by on Essa to improve transit travel time.
- support increased ridership and the City's Transportation Master Plan with targets to increase transit modal shares.
- support increased bicycle ridership with covered bike shelters and parking.
- provide easier access to tourism with multiple modes of transportation.
- support the City's Official Plan by building within one of the City's identified intensification and urban growth centre areas to promote growth as well as transit-centric developments.
- provide an extremely efficient building by targeting Net-Zero energy design, which will reduce ongoing operating costs over the life of the building.
- create an aesthetically pleasing and fully accessible facility that is consistent with the Allandale Historic Train Station to augment the heritage of the area.
- provide backup emergency power necessary to maintain uninterrupted transit services during power outages.