This project on McKay Road East includes a new watermain, from east to west of Highway 400 (approximately 800m), and a new trunk sanitary sewer between Highway 400 and Huronia Road.
The City of Barrie Multi-Modal Active Transportation Master Plan (MMATMP) identified McKay Road East as a key transportation corridor and recommended several transportation improvements to accommodate the growth of Barrie to 2031. The purpose of this project is to implement the preferred servicing solution as recommended by the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. See background below.
The City of Barrie has retained Ainley & Associates for the provision of engineering services for the preliminary and detailed design of the preferred alternative design solution for McKay Road East between Highway 400 and Huronia Road (approx. 2.1km). Contract administration, construction inspection, commissioning and warranty administration for these projects are provisional items.
As announced on March 28, 2025, this project is receiving funding support from the Province of Ontario through the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF).
Project Updates
November 20, 2025
The contractor will begin Stage 1 sanitary sewer installation on McKay Road East, between the west side of the Huronia Road intersection and the driveway of 222 McKay Road East.
During this stage, McKay Road East from Veteran’s to Huronia is expected to be fully closed to through traffic from November 27, 2025, to January 23, 2026. Residents and businesses will only be able to access McKay Road East from Veteran’s. Only local traffic will be permitted between the work zone and Veteran’s Drive. Detour signage will be installed to guide motorists around the closure. There will be no through access for any vehicles, including emergency services. Details will be posted at barrie.ca/RoadClosures.
Schedule
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Design | 2024–2025 |
| Tender Design | 2025 |
| Property Acquisition | 2024 |
| Construction | 2025–2028 |
Project Features
The preferred design alternative includes:
- Construction of new trunk sanitary sewer (1200 mm & 900 mm); and
- New watermain installation extending from east of Veteran's Drive, crossing Highway 400, and finishing at a dead-end for future connection.
Background
Project Scope
This project previously included transportation improvements, including the reconstruction and widening of McKay Road East to include a paved shoulder. This portion of the work will now happen as part of the McKay/Highway 400 interchange works.
Environmental Assessment (EA) Study
Phases 3 & 4 of the Municipal Class EA process were completed for the study area in consideration of the physical, natural, cultural/heritage, social and economic environments. The proposed design alternatives were evaluated in consideration of these criteria. Subsequent to this analysis and the agency and public input provided, the preferred design alternatives were chosen. The corresponding Environmental Study Report can be found at under Salem Secondary Plan Area Transportation Improvements EA Study.
Public Information Centre
A Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on November 14, 2018 to present the proposed improvements and seek community feedback. The PIC was an informal drop-in session where participants were able to review information presented, ask questions of City staff and the design team, and provide feedback to help guide the finalization of the design.
Please see the following links for details on the PIC: