Sophia Creek Owen Tributary Storm Outlet from Memorial Square

Project Type
Roads
Sewers & Watermains
Stormwater & Creeks
Project #
EN1463
Status
Recently Completed

The City completed the Sophia Creek Watershed & Mulcaster Drainage Area Environmental Assessment (EA) Update in 2017.  Per the EA, this project included installing the trunk storm sewer from Memorial Square to the Bayfield Basin through Heritage Park and completing the dredging within the Bayfield Basin. This project aligns with Barrie’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and will help reduce flooding downtown.

Project Updates

June 3, 2025

The rainbow crosswalk painting is now complete, bringing the project to completion ahead of schedule. This project is an important step in strengthening stormwater infrastructure in the city’s downtown core. The City thanks local residents, businesses, and visitors for your patience and support throughout construction.

Project Features

The project connected the trunk storm sewer located close to the sidewalk on the north side of Simcoe Street to the Harbour Wall within the Bayfield Basin. Work included:

  • Coordinating with existing utilities to arrange necessary relocations for the project.
  • Constructing sheet piles for groundwater cutoff and soil structural support.
  • Forming structural concrete foundations with helical piles for ground stabilization.
  • Installing pre-cast concrete box culverts.
  • Lowering existing transmission watermains, sanitary forcemains, and water services to facilitate the installation of concrete culverts in Meridian Square.
  • Paving a new multi-use pathway.
  • Improvements to Heritage Park and the Transient Marina area.
  • Sod and coloured concrete installation at Meridian Place.
  • Restoring and resurfacing disturbed roadways, including the rainbow crosswalk. The paint is finished with a durable, proprietary epoxy. This material was selected to enhance safety and ensure the colours remain vibrant and visible for years to come—even in high-traffic and winter weather conditions.

Project Schedule

StageTiming
Engineering DesignMarch 2022–April 2024
Pre-Construction WorksNovember–December 2023
Utility RelocationMay / June 2024
Anticipated ConstructionAugust 2024–Mid-June 2025

Construction Impacts

Pedestrian & Cyclist Access

The City acknowledges this area is enjoyed by many and ensured pedestrian access was maintained throughout construction. There were temporary trail and walkway closures, but detours were provided and signage was in place to help pedestrians and cyclists navigate around the construction zone.

Rainbow Crosswalk

The project required temporary removal of the crosswalk.

Construction Site

The construction zone was fenced off and security was provided on site when the contractor was not on site. There were generators used on a 24-hour basis to facilitate the active dewatering needed to construct the new trunk storm culvert.

Noise During Sheet Pile Installation

The sheet pile installation process generates significant noise due to the nature of the equipment and materials involved. The contractor regularly shut down the several compressors on site to reduce noise. 

The sheet pile installation was necessary for dewatering, which ensures a dry and safe working environment. Sheet piles are essential to maintaining proper conditions for the stormwater infrastructure construction, as they provide structural support and prevent soil movement. This stabilization secures the excavation areas, minimizing the risk of collapse or erosion, especially in areas with loose or saturated soils. Sheet piles also help control groundwater inflow and assist in dewatering lake water to provide a dry working area for proper concrete box culvert installations. This controlled environment reduces the potential for flooding or water intrusion into the worksite, ensuring concrete placements are executed in optimal conditions and protect workers.