The reconstruction of Barrie's Essa Road could be fast-tracked.

City councillors will consider a motion Monday to pre-approve certain projects in the 2015 capital budget, and widening Essa to five lanes from two between Ferndale Drive and Coughlin Road is on the list.

The cost is more than $5.5 million, and the work would begin this year and finish in the spring of 2016.

Coun. John Brassard, chairman of the city's infrastructure, investment and development services committee, says it's about time Essa was done.

(It) is the first of what I expect to be several roads in the city that will be brought up to a standard that it should (have) years ago, after council made modernizing our road infrastructure a strategic priority over the next four years, he said.

Barrie's 2009 intensification policy fingers Essa Road as one of five intensification corridors and nodes. This policy identifies appropriate areas in the city and related policies to guide intensification initiatives -- to encourage growth through increased residential density and mixed-use development.

This project includes municipal water and sewer services to the area, a multi-use trail on the west side and a sidewalk on the east side, along with curbs and gutters.

Whats particularly important as we begin to populate Essa with more infill and intensified development, is the need for sidewalks on both sides for pedestrian safety as well as bicycle options that dont currently exist, Brassard said. Lights at Harvie (Road), Mapleton (Avenue) and Coughlin (Road) will improve traffic and pedestrian safety.

Staff say pre-approving the Essa Road project could save the city money. Tendering earlier in the year generally results in greater competition among bidders, as contractors are more available.

If the project isn't approved until March, when council debates its 2015 operating and capital budgets, there's a risk fewer contractors will be available, reducing the level of competition and potentially resulting in higher prices.

Continue reading here:
South-Barrie road project could be moved up

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