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
May 22, 2026
- The contractor, Mar-King, has mobilized to site and works will begin on St. Paul’s Crescent, including installation of sanitary sewers, watermain and applicable services.
- To complete this work, St. Paul’s Crescent (Yonge to Mapleview) will be closed. The closure is expected to begin May 25 and be in place until July 31, 2026. Details will be available at barrie.ca/RoadClosures.
- Utility relocations (Bell, Enbridge and Inn Power) are ongoing, with Rogers to follow, after Inn Power pole installation is complete.
- An info bulletin is being distributed to affected residents.
Schedule
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Finalize Design | 2025 |
| Property Acquisition | 2022–2025 |
| Utilities Design & Relocations | 2025–2026 |
| Construction | Spring 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
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: