Barrie Construction News staff writer
AECOM has been awarded the detail design contract to widen Highway 400 from Highway 9 to the future Bradford Bypass from six to 10 lanes.
“Continuing the expansion of Highway 400 is an important investment for the transportation network the Greater Toronto Area needs,” said Raly Chakarova
Executive Director, Toronto and Area oad Builders Association. “Building this infrastructure also means building opportunity here at home, creating skilled jobs and supporting Ontario contractors, suppliers, and the broader construction workforce.”
The 11-kilometre section of Highway 400 will be widened by adding one general-purpose lane and one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction. The project will extend Ontario’s HOV network by connecting to the existing HOV lanes south of Highway 9. The contract also includes work related to culverts, signage, drainage and storm sewers, lighting and interchange ramps along the expanded highway.
“Highway 400 is one of Ontario’s most important economic corridors, connecting communities and moving people and goods across the province,” Steven Crombie
Senior Director of Public Affairs, Ontario Road Builders’ Association. “With congestion costing Ontario more than $56 billion annually, widening this critical stretch of Highway 400 will help reduce gridlock, improve the movement of goods and support Ontario’s continued growth.
“ORBA welcomes this important step toward construction and looks forward to working with the government to deliver the infrastructure Ontario needs.”
The province recently completed the widening of nine kilometres of Highway 400 from Major Mackenzie Drive to King Road. To support the future widening of Highway 400 in Barrie, the Dunlop Street bridge is currently being replaced.
“The widening of Highway 400 is an important investment in the transportation infrastructure Ontario’s growing communities and economy rely on every day,” said Jack Oliveira, Business Manager, LiUNA Local 183. “Expanding this critical corridor will create opportunities for skilled workers, including members of LiUNA Local 183, while helping reduce congestion and strengthen the movement of people and goods across the province.
“Investments in major infrastructure like Highway 400 help keep Ontario moving and support long-term economic growth for communities across the region.”
Major construction on the Bradford Bypass (Highway 425) started in May 2026.
“RCCAO commends the Government of Ontario for moving forward with the widening of Highway 400, an important investment in a critical transportation corridor,” said Nadia Todorova, Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario. “Extending capacity toward the future Bradford Bypass, a project RCCAO has long advocated for, will help ease congestion, improve connectivity and strengthen the movement of people and goods across the region.”