New Hwy 416 Interchange To Save Commuters Time

The Ontario government is fighting gridlock in south Ottawa by investing $5 million in a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road. The interchange will save commuters time in the rapidly growing community of Barrhaven and connect more people to housing and jobs across the region.

The announcement was made Friday, April 12 at the Minto Recreation Centre in Half Moon Bay.

“As Ontario’s population grows, it’s critical we ensure our province’s transportation network keeps pace,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “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. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government will continue to invest in the roads and bridges that we need to keep Ontario moving.”

The Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road interchange is part of a new deal between the Ontario government and Ottawa that recognizes the unique needs of Canada’s national capital region. The deal includes up to $181 million for critical transportation projects, including rehabilitation and maintenance of Ottawa Road 174 and funding for the Kanata North Transitway.

“The provincial government understands the unique challenges our city faces. This new funding shows how committed they are to supporting the population growth and development in Ottawa and all of eastern Ontario,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. “Advancing the design and construction of a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road will improve infrastructure and connectivity within our communities. It’s a game changer and will transform the way we move around our great city.”

The province will work with the City of Ottawa to plan and design the Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road interchange, which will also serve the communities of Manotick and Richmond. Since 2018, Ontario has invested approximately $425 million in highway and bridge improvements in the Ottawa region.

“Barnsdale Road is the perfect location for a much needed interchange with Highway 416,” said Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari. “Not only will it serve Barrhaven and the nearby growing communities of Manotick and Richmond, it will also benefit commuters heading north into Ottawa and provide local farms and businesses with easier access to Highway 401 south of the city.”

The interchange will have a major impact in Barrhaven, especially the growing southern area of the suburb in the Half Moon Bay community. Currently, the only access Barrhaven has to Highway 416 is at Fallowfield Road.

“The completion of the Barnsdale interchange is a commitment our government made to the people of Ontario in 2018,” Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod said. “I’m thrilled to celebrate the next step as we push the interchange over the finish line as part of our 2024 budget and build a better Ontario for everyone.”

Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, said the new interchange will benefit the local business community.

“The Ottawa Board of Trade welcomes the Ontario government’s investment in a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road,” Ching said. As the nation’s capital and the second largest city in the province, increasing connectivity for Ottawa businesses, residents, and visitors is critical to driving Ontario’s economic growth agenda. Innovative infrastructure inspires confidence and future investments. We look forward to continued collaboration with Queen’s Park to build up Ottawa and Ontario as the best place to live, work, play, visit, learn, and invest.”

The new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road is among the more than 50 actions identified in the government’s Connecting the East: A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario.

Last year, the province completed an Environmental Assessment and proposed a preliminary design of the interchange which would provide commuters with access to Highway 416 at Barnsdale Road.

The government is investing more than $3.8 billion in 2024-25 to deliver the Ontario Highways Program, which features 650 expansion and rehabilitation projects and will support roughly 15,000 direct and indirect jobs. Since 2022, the Ontario government has replaced nine bridges at four locations on Highway 417 in Ottawa, including at Bronson and Percy, to improve safety and keep roads and bridges in a state of good repair.

Featured Image: The official announcement of the Hwy 416/Barnsdale Road interchange funding was made Friday. From left to right are Councillor David Brown, Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari, Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod, and Councillors David Hill and Wilson Lo.