Barrie’s downtown season of construction begins

Road construction continues along Owen Street as part of the Sophia Trunk Storm Sewer project in Barrie, Ont. on Tues. Oct. 14, 2025.

Barrie’s downtown construction begins with a splash on Monday.

Work on the Sophia Street Trunk Storm Sewer project continues with a short‑term closure beginning Monday.

The Owen and McDonald streets intersection will be closed daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Monday until May 1 to allow crews to complete concrete work for sidewalks and crosswalk ramps.

During this period, vehicles and pedestrians will be detoured via Mulcaster, Peel, Clapperton, Worsley, and Wellington streets.

There are no impacts to transit services.

In addition to this work, a new long-term closure will begin May 4.

Owen Street will be closed from McDonald Street to Sophia Street, including the Sophia Street intersection, until fall 2026.

Local access for residents and emergency vehicles will be maintained, but no through-traffic will be permitted.

Vehicles will be detoured via McDonald, Peel, Wellington, and Clapperton streets.

A long‑term closure remains in effect on Sophia Street from east of Owen Street to Peel Street. This closure, in place since April 6, is required for watermain installation on Peel Street and sanitary sewer construction on Sophia Street and will remain until the fall.

The Sophia Trunk Storm Sewers Project supports long-term growth and flood protection in Barrie’s downtown.

The project upgrades the storm sewer system along Owen Street and Sophia Street East and replaces aging underground and above-ground infrastructure.

This includes new storm, sanitary, and water services, updated lighting and traffic signals, and improved sidewalks and boulevards.

This is a multi-year project, with all work to be completed by summer 2027.