Ontario Awards Contracts to Advance Design Work for Bradford Bypass
Province moves forward on critical highway link expected to cut travel times by 35 minutes and support more than 2,200 jobs annually
BRADFORD — Ontario has awarded key contracts to advance the next phase of work on the Bradford Bypass, a 16-kilometre highway project that will connect Highways 400 and 404 and deliver major travel-time savings across York Region and Simcoe County.
The announcement marks a significant step toward delivering the long-awaited four-lane connection, which the province says will reduce gridlock, strengthen east-west mobility and support more than 2,200 jobs per year during construction. The project is also expected to contribute $286 million annually to Ontario’s GDP.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said the new contracts advance the province’s long-term plan to protect Ontario’s economy from “U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty” by accelerating critical infrastructure.
“The Bradford Bypass will cut gridlock, shorten commute times, strengthen east-west connections and keep people and goods moving through one of the fastest-growing parts of the Greater Golden Horseshoe,” Sarkaria said.
Who Was Awarded the Contracts
The province confirmed the following contract awards:
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WSP Canada Inc. and Stantec Consulting Ltd. — Detail design for the highway’s central and east sections.
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Jacobs Consultancy Canada Inc. & Egis Canada Ltd. — Program management consultant for the full Bradford Bypass project, including quality assurance, schedule oversight and construction coordination.
Design teams will begin field work, prepare utility relocation plans, finalize engineering, and continue consultation with Indigenous communities. Once completed, the highway will save drivers an estimated 35 minutes compared to travelling on local roads.
Progress Already Underway
Work on the west section of the highway has already begun, including:
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Construction of a temporary detour at 10 Sideroad
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Tree clearing along the proposed route
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Continued design and early construction preparations
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A new southbound connection lane on Highway 400
MPP Caroline Mulroney (York–Simcoe) said today’s announcement moves the long-promised project into its next major phase.
“Residents have called for action on the Bradford Bypass for decades, and today’s milestone brings our region one step closer to finally seeing shovels in the ground,” Mulroney said.
Local municipal leaders also welcomed the announcement, citing improved travel options, reduced congestion and support for economic growth.
We’ve reached another important milestone in our plan to build the Bradford Bypass!
Early works are well underway for the future highway, which will cut travel times by more than 30 minutes and support more than 2,200 jobs during construction. https://t.co/f9FepTPopG
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 28, 2025
Regional Reaction
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Brian Johns, Acting Mayor of East Gwillimbury, said the project aligns with the town’s Official Plan and supports the area’s continued growth.
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James Leduc, Mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury, said the bypass will help get families home “approximately 30 minutes faster.”
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Industry associations — including the Ontario Road Builders’ Association, the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, and the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario — applauded the move, calling the project essential to reducing gridlock and expanding transportation capacity in one of Ontario’s fastest-growing regions.
Labour leaders, including LiUNA Local 183, said the project will create thousands of skilled-trade jobs and open opportunities for apprentices.
About the Bradford Bypass
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Length: 16.3 km
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Connection: Highway 404 (east) to Highway 400 (west)
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Economic impact: $286M/year to Ontario’s GDP
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Jobs supported: 2,200 annually
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Legislative support: Enabled by the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024
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