GTA Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has awarded key contracts for the Bradford Bypass, a 16-kilometre, four-lane highway linking Highways 400 and 404 through York Region and Simcoe County. The latest procurements include detail design contracts for the central and east sections, along with a program management consultant (PMC) assignment covering the full project scope.
WSP Canada Inc. and Stantec Consulting Ltd. will complete the detail design for the two segments, while a joint team from Jacobs Consultancy Canada Inc. and Egis Canada Ltd. will provide program management services, including oversight of design, quality assurance, scheduling and construction activities.
“Advancing to the final design and route tender for the Bradford Bypass is welcome news for the province. RCCAO commends the Ontario government for its continued commitment to moving this project forward and bringing the region closer to meaningful congestion relief and much-needed transportation capacity,” said Nadia Todorova
Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario. “Investing in critical infrastructure in one of the GTA’s fastest-growing regions is vital to Ontario’s long-term prosperity and will strengthen the economy by improving the movement of people and goods in and through the community.”
The province says construction of the new corridor will generate more than 2,200 jobs annually and contribute an estimated $286 million each year to Ontario’s GDP.
“Advancing work on the Bradford Bypass is a meaningful step toward tackling Ontario’s gridlock crisis and protecting the province’s economic growth,” said Steven Crombie
Ontario Road Builders’ Association. “Recent research shows congestion is costing Ontario roughly $56.4 billion every year in combined economic and social impacts, underscoring the need for strategic highway investments that keep people and goods moving.
“By improving east-west connectivity and supporting thousands of jobs, the Bradford Bypass will help relieve pressure on our transportation network and deliver lasting economic benefits for communities across York Region and Simcoe County.”
Design teams will undertake field work, coordinate utility relocations, finalize design details and consult with Indigenous communities as the eastern and central sections advance toward construction. Once completed, the bypass is projected to save drivers up to 35 minutes compared to existing local routes.
Work is continuing on the west section, where crews are building a temporary detour at 10 Sideroad to support future bridge and interchange construction. Detail design and construction management contracts for the western segment were awarded last year, and tree clearing along the alignment has been completed to facilitate utility relocations. Construction is also underway on a new southbound lane on Highway 400 that will connect to the future bypass.
“The Bradford Bypass is the kind of forward-looking infrastructure Ontario needs, and LiUNA Local 183 is proud to support this important announcement on the central and east sections,” said Jack Oliveira
Business Manager, LiUNA Local 183. “This project will create thousands of jobs for our highly skilled members and open the door for even more apprentices to begin rewarding careers in the skilled trades. By easing gridlock and improving the movement of people, equipment, and materials, the Bradford Bypass will strengthen local communities and ensure our job sites and Ontario keep moving forward.”
The Bradford Bypass is a 16.3-kilometre four-lane controlled-access highway connecting Highways 404 and 400.
“Ontario’s infrastructure depends on a reliable, close-to-market aggregate supply, and today’s announcement reinforces the importance of building the projects that grow our economy. Design today means shovels in the ground tomorrow and that keeps Ontario moving,” said Sharon Armstrong
Executive Director (Interim), Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.
