Anyone looking forward to a quick trip from Innisfil to Barrie using Veterans Drive will have to wait a while longer.
A long while, in fact.
The City of Barrie announced Wednesday afternoon that reopening of the intersection of McKay Road West and Veterans Drive, which has been closed since May 2022 for infrastructure work in the area, has been delayed by eight months.
"The intersection was originally scheduled to reopen later this month. However, the road closure has been extended to July 2024," the city said in a release. "Delays from the complex infrastructure and utility work have impacted the completion of essential road work such as traffic signals, street lights, sidewalks, boulevards, and final paving — all which need to be completed prior to safely reopening the intersection."
Construction in the area includes roadwork and infrastructure installations required to support growth and development in southwest Barrie.
The city says this project reached "important milestones" during the 2023 construction season with the installation of 3.5 kilometres of water main, 1.5 kilometres of storm sewers and 2.5 kilometres of road paving to bring necessary services to the area.
The new infrastructure will support growth and development in the southeast section of the Salem Secondary Plan Area.
Once reopened, McKay Road will be five lanes and will include an urban streetscape with curb and gutter, raised medians, concrete sidewalks, raised bike lanes, and stormwater management improvements.
In addition, the McKay Road and Veterans Drive intersection will be expanded and upgraded, including a centre median and turning lanes.
There is no access through McKay Road or Veterans Drive during the closure, and they city says all existing detours remain in place until the project is complete next year. Motorists are reminded to follow the signed detour routes.
For more details on the project and detour routes, click here.
