Project set to begin this spring

By Mike Pearson, News staff

The provincial Ministry of Transportation expects minimal impact on traffic flow as it prepares to refurbish bridges at six locations along Highway 403 from Mohawk Road to Wilson Street at Duff’s Corners.

Ministry spokesperson Astrid Poei said the Hamilton Drive underpass is the only roadway that will close fully during a construction period that begins this spring. Rehabilitation work includes underpasses at Mohawk Road, Golf Links Road, Southcote Road, Fiddler’s Green Road and the Highway 2 overpass at Duff’s Corners.

“There will not be any full closures of Highway 403,” said Poei.

The majority of work will be completed during nighttime hours to further reduce impact on traffic. Limited nighttime lane restrictions are anticipated for the 403.

The project is slated for completion by the fall of 2014. Work has yet to be tendered. Poei said an estimated dollar value will be released when the province completes its procurement process, likely by March.

The project is expected to extend the lifespan of the bridges, originally constructed in 1965 and 1966 and rehabilitated in the 1980s. The anticipated project will correct deficiencies such as deteriorated sidewalks, crumbling abutments and cracked deck fascia. According to ministry data, each underpass handles between 800 and 1,750 vehicles per hour during peak periods.

Traffic access across the 403 corridor will be maintained throughout the rehabilitation project. Work will be staged to ensure the rehabilitation at Fiddler’s Green, Golf Links, Southcote, Wilson and Hamilton Drive is not carried out simultaneously.

Pedestrian access across each bridge will be maintained at all times.

The ministry is accepting public comments on the project until Jan. 23. Information is available from the project’s official website at www.highway403bridgerehabilitation.ca