Barrhaven's Long-Awaited Greenbank Road Realignment Project Finally Moves Forward
After more than two decades of planning and delays, the much-anticipated Greenbank Road realignment project in Barrhaven's Half Moon Bay community is finally set to begin construction this spring. The $56 million infrastructure project, which has been promised to residents since 2006, represents a significant milestone for one of Ottawa's fastest-growing suburban areas.
From Rural Past to Suburban Present
Half Moon Bay has undergone a dramatic transformation from its rural origins as farmland with scattered barns and small developments to becoming one of Ottawa's most rapidly expanding subdivisions. The community's growth has far outpaced its original infrastructure, particularly the narrow, two-lane bridge with tight 90-degree turns that once connected Half Moon Bay to the rest of Barrhaven.
"It's been a long time coming," says Barrhaven West Councillor David Hill. "I've been talking about the work towards this for a long time, and a lot of people have been quite cynical for sure, and I can understand that — it's a big job and they've been waiting for decades."
Decades of Delays and Changing Priorities
The Greenbank Road realignment was first promoted to residents through glossy pamphlets in 2006 as the community began its expansion phase. Originally envisioned as the spine of the new development, the project promised upgraded infrastructure capable of handling increasing suburban traffic volumes. However, the project faced repeated postponements throughout the 2010s as the city redirected funding priorities in Barrhaven toward improving safety at rail crossings following the tragic Via Rail-OC Transpo crash in 2013.
"It was a really stark reminder that at-grade rail crossings were unsafe," explains Councillor Hill. "And what that meant is that people at Half Moon Bay experienced further substantial growth in the community without the arterial that was predicated on that growth happening."
Project Scope and Phased Implementation
The comprehensive realignment project will involve constructing a new four-lane roadway stretching from Barnsdale Road to Marketplace Avenue, complete with segregated two-lane bus rapid transit running through the median. A key component includes building a new, wider bridge over the Jock River, with the upgraded road continuing northeast before reconnecting with the existing Greenbank Road at St. Joseph High School.
According to Hill, the work will proceed in several carefully planned phases:
- The initial phase, scheduled to begin this spring, will focus on realigning the road from Riverboat Heights to Cambrian Road
- This first stage will provide improved connections to the new Food Basics store and other commercial developments emerging in the area
- With bridge funding now secured, construction over the Jock River is expected to commence immediately following the initial phase
- Additional project segments from Cambrian Road south to Barnsdale Road will be funded through future budget cycles
Addressing Growing Community Needs
The Greenbank Road realignment represents more than just infrastructure improvement—it addresses fundamental transportation challenges in a community that has grown substantially without corresponding road network enhancements. As Barrhaven continues to expand, this project will provide crucial connectivity improvements for residents navigating between Half Moon Bay and surrounding commercial and residential areas.
The project's advancement follows the allocation of $56 million in the 2026 city budget, finally bringing shovels to ground for an initiative that has been discussed and delayed for nearly twenty years. For residents who have watched their community transform from farmland to a bustling suburban neighborhood, the Greenbank Road realignment marks a significant step toward infrastructure that matches their community's current scale and future potential.
