NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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New, Realigned Lakeshore Drive Opens to Public
The City of Barrie’s first Mayor, Willard Kinzie and Mayor Jeff Lehman helped to officially open the new Lakeshore Drive this afternoon.
The two of them took a quick spin on the new road, driving a 1967 Monaco 500.
The car was lent to the Mayor and former Mayor for the event by Barrie Thunder Classics, a local club dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of classic and custom cars and trucks.
The road will open to the public this evening.
“This is a very important road and project for our City,” said Mayor Jeff Lehman. “Now that the road is complete, you can really see how much more waterfront parkland we will have. However, a lot of the work that was done can’t be seen because it is underground, but it was very necessary in order to upgrade our aging infrastructure. This work will help prevent flooding during significant storms, which are becoming more common.”
Lakeshore Drive has been realigned onto the former railroad bed, which allows for expanded waterfront parkland.
The parkland expansion will increase the green recreational space available on the waterfront.
Centennial Park improvements are anticipated to commence in 2016. Road Improvements include:
· Reconstruction of Lakeshore Drive from Toronto Street southerly to approximately 100 m north of Tiffin Street (i.e. at Hotchkiss Creek) with increased culvert capacity and channel work for Bunkers and Dyments Creek to prevent flooding during large rainfall events.
· Storm sewer upgrades, curb and gutter, a raised centre median, and on-street parallel parking;
· Continuous sidewalk on the west side from Toronto Street to Tiffin Street;
·New traffic signals at the Victoria Street-Lakeshore Drive Intersection with audible and visible pedestrian crossing signals;
· New traffic signals between Dyment's Creek and Hotchkiss Creek at the Centennial parking lot access on Lakeshore Drive with audible and visible pedestrian crossing signals;
·Reconstruction of Victoria Street from Ellen Street to Lakeshore Drive;
·Resurfacing Victoria Street from Bradford Street to Lakeshore Drive;
·Improved street lighting on Lakeshore Drive and Victoria Street;
·Enhanced landscaping for the raised centre median and west boulevard treatment.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/LakeshoreProject
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