A much-needed overhaul of Bell Farm Road will begin in the spring and comes with a $13.8-million price tag.
Anyone who has travelled the north-end road — which that connects St. Vincent and Duckworth streets in the area near Georgian College and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) — knows that the upper layer work of Bell Farm Road has needed work for many years.
An environmental assessment began in 2016 and was completed the following year. After several public information meetings, the city moved to the design phase of the project.
Adam Kiley, the city's manager of linear infrastructure projects, told BarrieToday there is much more needed with the Bell Farm Road project than what can be seen on the surface.
“Bell Farm Road has reached the end of its life and this work will also address the aging infrastructure as well as the deteriorating pavement condition," Kiley said. "The below-ground infrastructure is being replaced and the aging water main is being replaced with a new, larger water main.
“The roadside ditches are being removed and a new storm sewer is being installed to handle storm runoff," he added. "Water-quality initiatives are also being implemented to improve the quality of the stormwater leaving the project site.”
Bell Farm Road will be reconstructed and widened to three lanes, with bike lanes and sidewalks added. A multi-modal active transportation master plan identified the need for implementing and improving active transportation infrastructure (bicycle and pedestrian facilities), intersection improvements and road widenings.
Coun. Keenan Aylwin, whose Ward 2 includes this part of the city, says work on Bell Farm Road was long overdue and many people have waited long enough.
“Business owners and residents in the area have been so patient with the poor condition of this road and I thank them for that,” Aylwin told BarrieToday. “Bell Farm is a critical connection from Georgian College and RVH to the rest of the north end and it's important that we make that connection safe and accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit alike.”
Aylwin also says the addition of bike lanes will benefit Barrie economically, environmentally, and socially.
The city's infrastructure department has completed the design for the widening and reconstruction. A contractor is expected to be hired this fall, with construction expected to begin in April 2021.
The work will take place in phases, beginning with the first portion from St. Vincent Street to the east entrance of Alliance Boulevard (across from Mom’s Restaurant), followed in 2022 with work from Alliance Boulevard to Duckworth Street.
For more information on the project, click here.
