New Highway 416 interchange coming to southern Barrhaven, province announces

By Dani-Elle Dubé

Work is underway to determine if southern Barrhaven can hold a future interchange for Highway 416 as the area is identified as a major area of growth in Ontario.

In an announcement on Friday, March 18, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod along with Barrhaven councillor Jan Harder confirmed that the province and City will proceed with an Environmental Assessment at Barnsdale Road.

“This is a major milestone in the efforts to establish a much needed 416 interchange in Barrhaven,” MacLeod said in a statement. “Barrhaven is one of the fastest-growing communities in Ontario, and an additional highway interchange will help to facilitate economic growth, alleviate congestion and reduce commute times for residents.”

Statistics show that Barrhaven had a population of about 77,000 as of 2012, which was an increase from 40,000 in 2001. That’s an 85 per cent increase.

Today, Barrhaven’s population is over 90,000 and is projected to increase by almost 20,000 residents over the next 10 years, MacLeod says.

The new interchange at Barnsdale Road will play a key role in helping to alleviate traffic on the major north-south roads and divert more cars to the currently underused 416 highway.

“Building the Barnsdale Interchange is a top priority for the residents and businesses of Barrhaven and the City of Ottawa. More direct access to Highway 416 will help support our rapid residential growth as well as the flurry of economic activity and the thousands of new jobs finding a home in Barrhaven,” Harder said in a statement.

The Ontario government will undertake the preliminary environment assessment, however, the project itself will be funded by the City of Ottawa.

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