Plans to widen Highway 400 from six to 10 lanes between Highway 9 and the future Bradford Bypass are moving ahead.
The Ontario government has awarded a detail design contract for the 11-kilometre stretch of highway.
The future Bradford Bypass, also known as Highway 425, is planned to connect with Highway 400 near 8th Line and 9th Line in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The project will add two lanes in each direction — one regular traffic lane and one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
The new HOV lanes will connect with the existing HOV lanes south of Highway 9.
The design contract also includes work on culverts, signage, drainage and storm sewers, lighting and interchange ramps.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says widening Highway 400 will help address gridlock, improve road safety and keep people and goods moving through the Greater Toronto Area.
The province says Highway 400 is a key transportation route between southern and northern Ontario, serving commuters, tourists and businesses.
Ontario recently completed a nine-kilometre widening of Highway 400 between Major Mackenzie Drive and King Road.
In Barrie, the Dunlop Street bridge is currently being replaced as part of preparations for the future widening of Highway 400.
