Huronia Road Transportation Improvements & Trunk Sanitary Sewer

Project Type
Roads
Underground Infrastructure
Project #
EN1255
Status
In Progress
Estimated Completion
Spring 2028

The City of Barrie Multi-Modal Active Transportation Master Plan identified Huronia Road as a key transportation corridor and recommended several transportation improvements to accommodate the growth of Barrie to 2031. Recommendations include reconstruction and widening of Huronia Road to include a paved shoulder and a new trunk sanitary sewer between Lockhart Road and the south City limits.

The purpose of this project is to implement the preferred servicing solution as recommended by the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. See background.

The City of Barrie retained Ainley & Associates for the provision of engineering services for the preliminary and detailed design of the preferred alternative design solution for Huronia Road between Lockhart and the south city limit (approx. 2.1 km). 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

May 26, 2026

Hydro One will conduct pole installation and cable transfer operations at the Huronia/Lockhart intersection. The installation work is expected to be completed before June 1. Paid duty police officers will direct the traffic at the time of the utility relocations.

Major culvert replacement works and deep sanitary sewer installation are scheduled to begin on June 1 and are expected to continue until the end of January 2027. The City will post signage, as required, for detour routes. Various road closures will be required:

  • Stage 1: Huronia Road, from south of Lockhart to McKay, will be fully closed to through traffic, with local access maintained for residents and businesses within the closure limits. This closure is expected to be in place from June 1 to September 30, 2026.
  • Stage 2: The Huronia/Lockhart intersection is expected to be fully closed from July 2 to September 30, 2026.
  • Stage 3: Huronia Road, from south of the National Pines Golf Club entrance to south of McKay, including the Huronia/McKay intersection, is expected to be fully closed from October 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

Details will be posted at barrie.ca/RoadClosures.

Project Features

The preferred design alternative for Huronia Road includes the following:

  • Reconstruction of the roadway
  • 2.25m wide paved shoulders on both sides of the roadway
  • Implement low impact development (LID) features for stormwater management
    Low impact development features mimic the natural environment and allow rainwater to be absorbed where it falls.
  • Construction of new trunk sanitary sewer (900 mm)
  • Improvements to the traffic signal at McKay Rd E and Huronia Rd as well as Lockhart Rd and Huronia Rd
  • Dedicated left turn lanes in all directions at Huronia Rd and Lockhart Rd
  • Installation of large culverts with internal dry ledges to support wildlife movement 
     

Schedule

StageTiming
Design2018–2023
Property Acquisition2022–2024
Site Preparation2024
Geotechnical Works2024
Utilities 2023–2026
Construction2025–2028

Wildlife Support

This project is in an area identified in the City’s Official Plan as a "Natural Core" and "High Constraint Stream Corridor Area" in an Environmental Protection Area, due to the Lover’s Creek Swamp (Provincially Significant Wetland) and three watercourses that form Tributaries of Lover’s Creek. Learn about endangered species by visiting Species at risk in Ontario (ontario.ca) and Wildlife Ecopassages (lsrca.on.ca).

Cross Culverts

This project includes the installation of three cross culverts that will remain open to facilitate small animal movement and drainage. The main north crossing will be enlarged to enhance wildlife passage. An environmental impact study indicated limited wildlife presence but recommended incorporating the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Road Ecology Policies and Practices. Design considerations include larger culverts with internal dry ledges to support wildlife movement post-construction.

Wildlife Exclusion Fencing

Wildlife, including species at risk, have the potential to be in nearby naturalized areas, and are susceptible to being impacted by construction activities and being hit by cars. This project aims to minimize impacts to animals by installing wildlife exclusion fencing in all areas of wetland habitat plus 30m. The fencing protects turtles (including species at risk), and other reptiles from entering work zones, and using road edges for nesting. To mitigate harm to wildlife, fencing will be installed outside the active period for turtles. The fencing will be routinely inspected during construction to ensure animals are protected for the duration of the project.

Background

Environmental Assessment (EA) Study

Phases 3 & 4 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment 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. After this analysis, and the agency and public input provided, the preferred design alternatives were chosen.

Get EA Study Details

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 documents for details on the PIC:

Fencing being installed
Fencing being installed | November 2024

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