Bradford Bypass (Highway 425): What It Means for Bradford Buyers and Sellers in 2026
If you're house hunting in Bradford, or thinking about selling, you've probably heard some version of "wait until the bypass opens." The Bradford Bypass is real, and it's being built right now. But only one piece of it has a finish date, and that date is 2030.
I'm Darren Cabral, REALTOR® with Cabral Real Estate at CV Real Estate, Brokerage. The bypass comes up in almost every Bradford conversation I have, so here's where it actually stands in October 2026, pulled from the Ministry of Transportation, plus what I'd do about it as a buyer or a seller.
The short version
What it is: a new 16.3 km, four-lane freeway linking Highway 400 in Bradford West Gwillimbury to Highway 404 in East Gwillimbury, now officially named Highway 425.
West section: major construction started in May 2026, with completion targeted by 2030.
Central and east sections: still in detail design. The province hasn't set a construction start or finish date yet.
Right now: 9th Line is closed at Highway 400 for about three years, starting July 6, 2026.
What is the Bradford Bypass?
The Bradford Bypass is a provincial highway that will run east and west across the south end of Bradford West Gwillimbury. According to the Bradford Bypass project website, it starts at Highway 400 near 8th Line and 9th Line, passes through a section of King Township, and meets Highway 404 near Queensville Sideroad and Holborn Road in East Gwillimbury.
In its April 2026 update to Bradford West Gwillimbury council, the Ministry of Transportation said the highway will open with two general purpose lanes in each direction and seven interchanges: Highway 400, 10th Sideroad, Simcoe County Road 4, Bathurst Street, 2nd Concession, Leslie Street (partial), and Highway 404. The ministry says the route could save drivers up to 35 minutes compared to using local roads, and that shifting heavy trucks onto it should take pressure off residential streets.
On May 14, 2026, the province announced that major construction had started and designated the route as Highway 425.
Where construction stands in October 2026
West section (Highway 400 to east of County Road 4). This is the part being built. Crews broke ground at Sideroad 10, and the work includes interchanges at Sideroad 10 and County Road 4, a replacement bridge at Highway 400 and Line 9, and a new freeway to freeway interchange with Highway 400. The ministry's target is completion by 2030.
Central and east sections (east of County Road 4 to Highway 404). Detail design started in late 2025. MTO says construction timelines will be confirmed as design progresses over the next couple of years, with public information sessions planned for spring and summer 2027.
The road closure you'll feel today. 9th Line is closed at Highway 400 for about three years from July 6, 2026, with no through traffic. The detour runs along County Road 88 between 5th Sideroad and Sideroad 10.
Last week's news: Highway 400 widening toward the bypass
On October 5, 2026, the province awarded a detail design contract to widen Highway 400 from six to 10 lanes between Highway 9 and the future Bradford Bypass. That's an 11 km stretch getting one general purpose lane and one HOV lane in each direction, connecting to the existing HOV lanes south of Highway 9. This was a design contract, not a construction start, so treat it as a long term improvement, not something that changes your commute next year.
What the bypass means if you're buying in Bradford
Infrastructure matters, but I tell my buyers the same thing every time: buy the house for how you'll live in it today, and treat the highway as a possible bonus later. Here's how I'd use it:
Map the route against the house. Pull up the corridor on the project website and check how close a home is to the right of way and the new interchanges. Being near an interchange can mean easier access. It can also mean noise, lights, and years of construction traffic.
Test today's commute, not 2030's. Drive your real route at rush hour, including any 9th Line detour. If the numbers only work once the bypass is finished, the deal probably doesn't work.
Don't pay a premium for a road that isn't built. If a listing leans on the bypass as a selling point, ask which section it means and when that section is due. Only the west section has a target date.
Budget the full carrying cost. Bradford West Gwillimbury's 2026 residential tax rate is 1.10808% of assessed value (Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury). MPAC still uses January 1, 2016 values for 2026 taxes (MPAC), so use the home's actual assessment, not the purchase price. For example, a home assessed at $600,000 would pay an estimated $6,648 a year in property tax.
Use the market you have. In September 2026, Bradford West Gwillimbury had 228 active listings and 23 sales, with a median sold price of $850,000 and about 10 months of inventory, according to Wahi's Bradford West Gwillimbury market report. A year earlier, September had 40 sales. That's buyer leverage, and it's available now, not in 2030.
What it means if you're selling in Bradford
Be accurate about timing. Buyers do their homework. Saying "the bypass is coming" without a date hurts your credibility. Saying "the west section is under construction with a 2030 target" helps it.
Lead with what works today. Highway 400 access, the Bradford GO Station, schools, and parks sell homes this fall.
Address construction head on. If your home is near the corridor or the 9th Line detour, explain it upfront and show buyers the route. Surprises kill deals.
Price to current comps. With roughly 10 months of inventory, buyers have choice. Price on recent sales on your street, not on future infrastructure.
Want a starting number? Try my AI home valuation, then I'll tighten it up with recent Bradford sales.
A note for investors
Buying Bradford for a rental or a longer hold? Treat infrastructure timelines as assumptions, not certainties, and run your numbers on today's rents and today's commute. My investor guide walks through how I look at Simcoe County deals.
FAQ
When will the Bradford Bypass open?
Only the west section, from Highway 400 to east of County Road 4, has a target: completion by 2030. The central and east sections are in detail design, and the Ministry of Transportation hasn't announced construction dates for them yet.
Is the Bradford Bypass the same as Highway 425?
Yes. The province designated the Bradford Bypass as Highway 425 when it announced the start of major construction in May 2026.
Where does the Bradford Bypass connect?
It will connect Highway 400 near 8th Line and 9th Line in Bradford West Gwillimbury to Highway 404 near Queensville Sideroad and Holborn Road in East Gwillimbury, with seven interchanges along the 16.3 km route.
Is 9th Line closed at Highway 400?
Yes. 9th Line is closed at Highway 400 for about three years starting July 6, 2026, with no through traffic. The detour uses County Road 88 between 5th Sideroad and Sideroad 10.
Will the Bradford Bypass raise home values in Bradford?
No one can promise that. Better access can help a market over time, but prices are set by buyers, interest rates, and supply. Bradford has plenty of supply right now, so I'd price and buy on current sales, not on a future road.
Next steps
Looking at Bradford? Start here:
Bradford West Gwillimbury Real Estate Guide: neighbourhoods, GO and Highway 400 access, and buying and selling tips
Free Buyer's Guide: offers, closing costs, and due diligence
Listing Alerts: new Bradford listings that match your search, sent straight to you
AI Home Valuation: a quick estimate of what your home could sell for
Or call or text me at 647-371-5335, or email darren@cabralrealestate.ca. CV Real Estate, Brokerage office: 705-704-1188.
This post is general information, not legal, tax, or investment advice. Project details and timelines are from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Bradford Bypass project website as of October 2026 and can change. Market figures are from Wahi for September 2026, and the property tax figure is an estimate based on the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury's 2026 residential rate. Confirm the details for any specific property before you buy or sell.
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