Works associated with the reconstruction of the County Rd. 88 bridge over Hwy. 400 are scheduled to begin in 2023.
Approximately 550 metres of the existing Bradford/Bond Head water main will need to be relocated in order for the construction of the new bridge and interchange to be completed. As part of the project, McKinstry Road will also require realignment to accommodate the northbound ramp from County Rd. 88 to the highway and a stormwater retention pond.
Bradford West Gwillimbury council approved the project at its Oct. 4 meeting.
The cost of the project will be split 50-50 between the province and the town. Bradford West Gwillimbury is responsible for hiring a consultant and the detailed design of the water main relocation. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will then incorporate the project into the reconstruction of the bridge and interchange.
The province wants the water main work to be completed by fall 2023.
Councillors were happy to see the project moving forward.
“We’re getting the bridge at 88 set up and it’s good to see that,” said Deputy Mayor James Leduc. “I’m glad the MTO has taken on half the cost of this.”
The total cost of the project for the town won’t be known until the detailed design is complete, however, the local portion won’t be borne entirely from the tax base. A portion of this reconstruction is being completed to accommodate future growth, meaning approximately $100,000 of the cost for the detailed design is estimated to be funded from development charges.
The replacement of the water main will be funded through the water reserve, CAO Geoff McKnight confirmed.
The County Road 88 bridge is one of the few remaining overpass interchanges from the original Toronto-to-Barrie section of Hwy. 400.
The structure was completed in 1950 and remained more or less unchanged for about 60 years before adjustments were made to the off- and on-ramps to improve safety in 2011.
Motorists could need to brace themselves for a few years of construction between County Roads 88 and 89, as concurrent to this bridge work is the expected construction set to begin on the Bradford Bypass near Line 9 and Hwy. 400.
