What’s the Bradford Bypass, and why should Georgina residents care?

Here's what you need to know

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 17, 2021
Amanda Persico

The Ministry of Transportation is moving ahead with its plan to build the Bradford Bypass.

Here’s what you need to know:

What is it?

It’s a 16.2 km, four to six lane freeway connecting highways 400 and 404.

Where will it go?
The new highway will connect Hwy. 400 between Lines 8 and 9 in Bradford West Gwillimbury and to Hwy. 404 between Queensville Sideroad and Holborn Road in East Gwillimbury, along with an interchange at Yonge Street/Country Road 4, Bathurst Street and Leslie Street.

Will the bypass cross over the Holland River?
Yes -- along with 26 other water crossings.

The bypass will cross over the east and west branches of the Holland River.

Will the bypass cross the Holland Marsh Provincial Significant Wetland area?
Yes -- about 1 km in length.

Will the bypass impact Lake Simcoe?
Since the bypass is south of the lake, “it will not directly impact Lake Simcoe,” said MTO project manager Larry Sarris.

But the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition and Lake Simcoe Watch argue pollutants in the watershed affect the health of Lake Simcoe.

Not to mention the bypass would plow through endangered wetlands, sensitive woodlots and impact numerous wildlife habitats from migratory birds to amphibians.

“It’s ridiculous to see something like the Gardiner Expressway over the marsh,” said Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition executive director Claire Malcolmson.

“All those things are not supposed to happen under the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.”

Runoff water from Hwy. 404 has increased salt levels in the Maskinonge River, which empties into Lake Simcoe, she added.

Prior to the Hwy. 404 extension, about 12 per cent of river water samples tested above provincially acceptable levels,  compared to about 74 per cent of samples tested after the highway was built.

“Water quality is at risk with this project,” Malcolmson said. “To what extent? We don’t know because it hasn’t been studied.”

Was an environmental assessment completed?
Yes -- approved in 2002.

That has environmental and various other groups concerned. 

“The EA process has changed drastically and so has the environment,” Malcolmson said. “We’re in a climate crisis, here, now, today.”

Is the Bradford Bypass exempt from the province’s environmental registry?
No -- a provincial decision has not been made, yet.

If exempted, it will allow the project to be built as it was approved in the EA and would allow for early work such as relocating hydro poles and grading to start.

So, now what?

Within the initial EA process, the MTO committed to 15 impact studies from agricultural and air quality to fish habitat and snow drift assessments.

As part of the preliminary design phase -- where the project currently sits -- the MTO is undergoing detailed field investigations to update those individual assessments, Sarris said.

Where does the Town of Georgina Stand?
Part of the town’s strategic plan includes advocating for the Bradford Bypass and protecting the health of Lake Simcoe.

Recently, town council unanimously passed a motion calling on the province to continue with the 15 assessment studies and make the assessment studies publicly available.

“This isn’t the environment pitted against transportation,” said Ward 3 Councillor Dave Neeson, who brought forward the motion. “The two can work synonymously if done right.”

What’s next?

Future public information sessions are planned for fall 2022. And the preliminary design process is expected to be complete by 2023.