As kids have returned to school this week, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall is focusing on road safety in his re-election bid.
He announced on Thursday at Madelaine Park that he plans to commit $3 million over the next term for traffic-calming measures across the city, if re-elected.
Nuttall says adding additional safety measures is motivated by how much the city is growing.
"We're seeing more families move into our city and more people using our neighborhoods, our parks, our streets, each and every day," he said at the announcement. "Growth is an important opportunity, but it also means we have to keep investing in this infrastructure and services that residents rely on."
Since Ontario banning automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras, the City of Barrie approved increased funding for traffic-calming measures by $500,000 with funds generated from the program.
Through the city's application to the province for funding to put up other traffic-calming installations, it's expecting to receive another $500,000. The remaining $2 million would come from the city's budget.
Overall, the $3 million commitment would be delivered over the next four-year council term, beginning with the 2027 budget. Nuttall said he hopes to spend the "lion's share" of the money in the first year.
The announcement took place next to a busy four-lane residential road with multiple speed humps. Nuttall says that Madelaine Street acts as a proof of concept.
"We've seen very strong results here on Madelaine Drive, and we want to take the same strategy that's being employed here," he said regarding further implementation.
Nuttall mentioned possible locations for future measures include Hurst Drive, Ardagh Road, Mapleton Avenue, and Livingstone Street.
"Every neighborhood is different," he said. "The challenges on one street may not be the same as a challenge on another street. We will listen to residents, look at concerns being raised, and direct this investment to the places where traffic calming can have the greatest impact."
Nuttall, who sits on the Barrie Police Services Board, says he also plans to wok with the service on a "more comprehensive" approach to traffic calming.
"It's ridiculous, sometimes people are going 90 in a 50 — that shouldn't happen," he said. "We need to make sure we have enforcement in place, so we'll continue to work with Barrie police on that."
Nuttall is one of four candidates seeking the mayor's office in the 2026 municipal election, alongside realtor Tanya Saari, Kay Sayer, and restaurant manager Russell J. Tighe.
Advance voting in Barrie begins on Oct. 16, with the main voting period taking place from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26.
