Irritated drivers have been dealing with the complicated aftermath of a concrete spill at a Highway 400 construction site in Barrie’s south end last week, which left their vehicles damaged.

The site is a new bridge construction site at the Essa Road interchange in Barrie.

Work is currently underway on the bridge deck over the city street.

Leo Bakker says he was traveling on Essa Road on October 31 at approximately 11:30 pm when something didn’t seem right. That day he and his fiancé were heading towards downtown Barrie.

“We saw what looked like water, or muddy water, dripping from the bridge that is in the middle of construction,” he explained. “We would have avoided it, but the roads were closed and we didn’t think about it. It fell like drops of water on the car and was easily cleaned with our windshield wipers.

“When we got home, we realized that what was in the car was cement and not mud.”

Hardened concrete has been a big problem for some vehicle owners.

“I can’t get it out of my vehicle. It’s left a residue that won’t come off,” Amy Smith said.

“I washed it by hand with car soap using a lot of effort, but to no avail. “My car is practically new and I am heartbroken,” she lamented.

Smith said he was driving under the bridge at 3:30 pm on October 31.

“Suddenly, I hear a loud noise, like hail is hitting my vehicle. “I immediately washed my windshield because I couldn’t see through it anymore,” he said.

Smith said he drove home and noticed “huge patches of dirty stains” on his vehicle.

“It was Halloween, so I was busy getting ready for the night. The next day I washed my vehicle, but the debris would not be removed,” he added.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) says it is aware of the problem in Barrie.

“Every effort is made to ensure a safe work area for the entire traveling public as well as the construction team,” Tanya Blazina, MTO senior media relations manager, said in an email Friday. in the afternoon.

“Last week, during the placement of the concrete platform, there was a minor leak that could have caused the impact of some vehicles,” he added. “Anyone affected by this leak should contact the contractor to discuss these issues in (email protected).”

Claimants are asked to provide the date of the incident, time, and any available photographs related to their claim.

In correspondence with the complainants, the contractor, GIP, said that filing a claim against them is “different than filing a claim with their insurance company.”

They noted that filing a claim through your own insurance company “means that you are taking advantage of your existing insurance coverage for your personal property, through your insurance policy, while a claim against GIP requires an investigation to determine if GIP is liable or not liable to Any compensation in respect of repairs/costs may be provided.”

GIP encourages people to contact their insurance company, saying “if you have not already done so, as your current insurance coverage may be more extensive than the recovery GIP could provide.

“Your insurance company can seek damages against GIP on your behalf. For property damage claims, if GIP is found to have been negligent, the amount you can receive in compensation is limited to the condition of the property just before the damage occurred,” the company wrote.

It remains to be seen what this means for the people who have been affected.

“I need a whole new paint job because my car still has (concrete) all over it,” said another driver, Ashley Adams. “What I think is unfair is that now my insurance is going to hurt me and I have to pay my deductible?

“I just got my car just two months ago,” he added. “They should be responsible for paying for it, not me, and hurting my insurance… They had it draining into people’s cars all day. “I’m glad no one was hurt.”

The MTO is building a new interchange at Essa Road and Highway 400, while also widening Essa Road to six lanes between Fairview Road and Bryne Drive/Ardagh Road. This work also includes major road work on Highway 400 between Harvie Road and Tiffin Street.

The construction phase of the project began in June 2022 and is expected to be completed in fall 2025.

The construction contract value for the Essa Road Bridge Replacement project is $105.4 million with costs shared between MTO and the City of Barrie.