Ontario Advances Work on Bradford Bypass with New Tree-Clearing Contract
BRADFORD — The Ontario government has taken another step forward in the construction of the Bradford Bypass, awarding a tree-clearing contract as part of ongoing preparations for the highway’s west section. Crews are now removing trees along the planned route between Highway 400 and Simcoe County Road 4, a move that will help pave the way for further construction in the new year.
The Bradford Bypass, a 16.3-kilometre highway that will connect Highway 404 in the east to Highway 400 in the west, is a key part of the province’s $28 billion infrastructure plan. Once completed, the project is expected to save drivers 35 minutes each way and ease traffic congestion across York Region and Simcoe County.
“Gridlock is dramatically impacting the quality of life for families, workers, and millions of people across Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Over the past year, we’ve made major progress on the Bradford Bypass, including historic legislation and key construction milestones. We’re going to get it done so we can get drivers out of traffic once and for all.”
We’ve taken another big step toward building the Bradford Bypass—a project that will save drivers 35 minutes each way while also delivering key milestones:
✅ Advanced grading for land preparation from Highway 400 to Simcoe County Road 4
✅ Awarded contract for detailed design… pic.twitter.com/JWBGPPu53d
— Prabmeet Sarkaria (@PrabSarkaria) December 17, 2024
In addition to clearing trees, the project has seen significant developments this year. Contracts have been awarded for the detailed design of the west section of the highway and for a construction manager to oversee safety and quality. Crews have also completed a new bridge at Simcoe County Road 4 and started building a connection lane on Highway 400 for the future bypass.
The initiative has drawn praise from local leaders. “This new route will ease congestion, improve travel times, and provide a safer, more efficient way for drivers to navigate our growing region,” said James Leduc, Mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury. “By streamlining travel for residents of Simcoe County and cottage-goers alike, the bypass will benefit both local communities and visitors.”
A recent report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis highlights the urgency of tackling Ontario’s gridlock, estimating its cost to the economy at $56 billion annually. The Bradford Bypass is expected to play a significant role in reducing that burden while supporting up to 2,200 jobs annually during construction and contributing up to $286 million to Ontario’s GDP.
Tree-clearing efforts are anticipated to wrap up in early 2025, setting the stage for further work on this transformative infrastructure project.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
