Ford government commits to fully fund Bradford Bypass in Simcoe-York

Gridlock be gone — the Ontario government is making good on its promise from last week’s economic update to relieve congestion on Hwy. 400 and some local roads in Simcoe County and York Region.

Both regions are expected to experience rapid growth over the next two decades.

The Ford government committed, Monday, to fully fund the Byford Bypass. The four-lane freeway will connect Hwy. 400 and Hwy. 404 with the aim of reducing commute times by hours each week.

Map of Bradford Bypass, which will connect Hwy. 400 and Hwy. 404 in Simcoe County and York Region.

Calling the highway a “no-brainer,” Premier Doug Ford explained, “delivering on this and other important infrastructure projects will create good jobs, help stimulate our economy and reduce highway congestion as our government delivers on our mission of building Ontario.”

Congestion in the two regions is not a new problem.

Transportation Minister Carolyn Mulroney — who is also the MPP for York-Simcoe — said the need for the 16.2-kilometre corridor is key because gridlock is the number one complaint her constituents have voiced to her since she was elected in 2019.

“Gridlock doesn’t just hurt drivers — it hurts businesses, the environment and our economy. The Bradford Bypass will save drivers up to 35 minutes one way. That’s more than an hour per day and more than five hours back in your week for you to spend with your loved ones,” Mulroney said.

This project is expected to support more than 700 jobs per year during construction and generate more than $70 million in annual GDP.

Mulroney added the highway project is also set to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from bumper-to-bumper traffic.”

But concerns have been brought up about the environmental impact of the freeway — despite the fact an environmental assessment will be done ahead of any construction.

The leader of the Green Party, Mike Schreiner, said the highway will contribute to pollution and called on Ford to cancel his plan.

“The [corridor] would pump, according to reports, 87-million kilograms of climate pollution into the air each year.  It would negatively impact 17 hectares of the Holland Marsh, 39 hectares of wildlife habitat, 11 hectares of provincially significant wetlands and cut through 27 waterways,” he explained.

At this point, Ford said the Bradford Bypass will not be a toll highway, but there is no estimate as to exactly how much the project will cost.

Last Thursday, the government unveiled its fall economic update, which laid out how the government plans to get shovels in the ground on critical infrastructures, like this stretch of highway.

With files from Momin Qureshi of CityNews