“As Ontario’s population grows, it’s critical we ensure our province’s transportation network keeps pace,” said. Prabmeet Sarkaria, who was in Ottawa Friday.
“The new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road will help local residents and other drivers get where they need to go faster and more conveniently.”
There is currently an overpass that carries traffic travelling east and west on Barnsdale Road over Highway 416, but it does not allow for entry or exit from Highway 416. The interchange would allow traffic to move in all directions.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe called the interchange a “game-changer.” The province is to work with the City of Ottawa to plan and design the interchange, which will also serve Manotick and Richmond.
“Advancing the design and construction of a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road will improve infrastructure and connectivity within our communities,” said Sutcliffe.
The Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road interchange is part of the “new deal” between the Ontario government and Ottawa, which includes up to $181 million for critical transportation projects, including rehabilitation and maintenance of Ottawa Road 174 in the east end and funding for the Kanata North Transitway. The costs of maintaining and improving Highway 174 have cost the city millions since they were downloaded from the province to the city in 1997.
Last year, an environmental assessment of the Barnsdale exchange and a preliminary design for the Barnsdale interchange was completed.
The assessment noted that four provincially endangered or threatened species at risk including bobolink, eastern meadowlark, eastern wood-pewee and bat species, have the potential to be affected by the proposed work.
