Yonge Street Transportation Improvements

Project Type
Roads
Stormwater & Creeks
Underground Infrastructure
Project #
EN1261
Status
In Progress
Estimated Completion
Spring 2028

The City of Barrie Multi-Modal Active Transportation Master Plan identified Yonge Street as a key transportation corridor and recommended several transportation improvements to accommodate the growth of Barrie to 2031.

Transportation improvements include reconstruction and widening of Yonge Street (Mapleview E to Lockhart) to inlcude five lanes, a cycle-track and a sidewalk. The project will also include reconstructing St. Paul Crescent (Mapleview E to Yonge).

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

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 Yonge Street and St. Paul Crescent, 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 Core Servicing (HECS) grant.

Project Updates

October 15, 2026

  • Placement of base asphalt on Yonge Street and St. Paul's Crescent (Mapleview Drive East to future Madelaine Drive) has been completed. Temporary line painting has been installed allowing two lanes of traffic flow to be switched over to the east side of the road.
  • St. Paul's Crescent has been re-opened to traffic, including the introduction of an improved intersection alignment at Yonge Street.
  • Construction activities will now move over to the west side of Yonge Street. Works will include installation of catch basins, sanitary sewers, sanitary and water service laterals to property line, road building, curb installation and placement of base asphalt in preparation for winter shut down. Two crews will be working in opposite directions from St. Paul's Crescent. One crew will work north towards Mapleview Drive East, with a second crew moving south towards Lockhart Road.
  • Utility crews will continue to be on site, completing relocation works within the boulevards.
  • An October 2026 info bulletin was distributed to nearby residents.

Schedule

StageTiming
Finalize Design2025
​Property Acquisition2022–2025
Utilities Design & Relocations2025–2026
ConstructionSpring 2026–Spring 2028

Project Features

The Yonge Street reconstruction includes the following:

  • Reconstruct and widen the roadway to five lanes (four through lanes, two per direction) and a 4.2m median (raised or painted, depending on adjacent land use)
  • 3.0 m multi-use pathway on west side
  • 2.0 m sidewalk on the east side
  • Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management features
  • Implement watermain and sanitary sewer
  • Eliminate roadside ditches and add curbs and sidewalk
  • Construct a new storm sewer system
  • Street lighting
  • Provision of traffic signals at future intersections and improvements to the traffic signal at Lockhart Road

The St. Paul Crescent reconstruction will include:

  • Intersection realignment with the future Shepherd Drive 
  • Roadside drainage improvement 
  • Localized resurfacing to improve rideability 
  • New sanitary sewer and services
  • New watermain and water services
Construction site featuring a newly paved road with yellow markings and orange traffic cones.
Work progressing (October 2026)
Aerial view of a road with construction, surrounded by greenery and distant buildings.
Work progressing (September 2026)
Construction scene along a road with heavy machinery and vehicles among trees and fields.
Work progressing (September 2026)
Construction site with heavy machinery, vehicles on the road, and freshly dug earth.
Work progressing (September 2026)
Aerial view of an intersection with the road in the background under construction.
Work progressing (June 2026)
Key map

    What to Expect During Construction

    You may experience inconveniences such as dust, noise and short delays. The City will make efforts to reduce impacts and your patience is appreciated.

    Background

    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.

    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:

    Related Files