The County of Simcoe has plans to widen Yonge Street from two lanes to four lanes, between the Barrie City Limits and County Road 89, by 2031.
The work has been proceeding in phases.
Currently, the county is carrying out improvements to the intersection of Innisfil Beach Road and Yonge Street, but it is already working on plans to widen Yonge through the village of Churchill, and improve the intersection at Killarney Beach Road/Line 4.
A consulting engineer has been retained to design the Churchill road and intersection improvements, with construction planned for the summer of 2024. Detailed design, acquisition of property and the relocation of utilities will precede construction.
The Town of Innisfil has been working with the county, and has found an opportunity to accomplish another project in its Trails Master Plan: Construction of a new concrete sidewalk along the north side of Line 4, from Yonge St. to the Churchill ideaLAB and Library.
For the town to carry out the work itself, the estimated cost was $210,000.
By piggybacking the work on the county project, and sharing the cost of engineering design, administration and inspections, the estimate drops to $120,000.
In Wednesday night’s meeting of Innisfil Council, councillors approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the county, to cover the work.
Innisfil will pay the pro-rated cost of designing the sidewalk and any needed retaining wall or other infrastructure, a proportional share of the administration costs, and cover the cost of sidewalk construction. Once the work is completed, the town will assume ownership and responsibility for maintenance.
The county project involves widening Yonge to four lanes through the village; creating eastbound and westbound through-lanes and left turn lanes on Killarney Beach Road/Line 4 at the intersection; expanding storm sewers; installing retaining walls; relocating utilities - and improving the sidewalks, including the collaboration with the town.
