Explore downtown Barrie’s new look, Dunlop Street makeover now complete

The Dunlop Street construction project officially comes to an end tomorrow with the final intersections under construction reopening. The Five Points and Toronto St. intersections will be fully open by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9. The project means a new and improved look on 1.5 km of Dunlop Street, from west of Poyntz Street to Toronto Street.

The We Dig Downtown project, which began in August 2019, was a major undertaking that replaced and repaired infrastructure underground, while giving downtown’s main street a complete makeover. Underground improvements include a partial new storm sewer and catch basins, new watermain elements, flushing/cleaning of sanitary sewers, as well as tree pits with soils cells.

The street now has wider and more accessible sidewalks, and more permanent patio options for downtown restaurants and stores. Many elements were replaced including new streetlights, planters, trees, benches, bike racks, pay and display parking machines and waste/recycling bins, adding to the improved aesthetic that now defines Dunlop Street.

The $15.7M project was completed by local companies, with the design by Tatham Engineering and construction by Arnott Construction.

There will be some final clean-up of remaining work to be done in spring 2021, but this should not cause any major disruptions or require any full road closures.

Visit to learn more about this project.