June 26, 2006

Next phase of 401 expansion now under way

WINDSOR, ON

The federal and provincial governments are investing more than $61 million to improve a 10-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between Highway 77 and Essex Road 27.

Construction is now under way and includes the following:

• Widening Highway 401 from four to six lanes to reduce congestion;

• Installing a concrete median barrier, drainage system and paved median and shoulders to improve safety;

• Replacing the St. Joachim Road (French Line Road) bridge to improve visibility on both Highway 401 and St. Joachim Road, including widening and repaving of the ramps;

• Widening the Ruscom River Bridge to improve driving conditions; and

• Improving the Windsor South Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility.

The Highway 401 corridor is considered an important link to Ontario’s largest international border crossing that carries more than 10,000 trucks and $323 million worth of goods per day.

The first phase of the Highway 401 Windsor to Tilbury project was completed in November 2005, and involved widening and improving of Highway 401 from Essex Road 42 and Highway 77.

The second phase of improvements to Highway 401 from Puce Road to Manning Road, expected to be completed this fall, involves widening from four to six lanes, improving both Manning Road and Puce Road interchanges and building a median barrier.

Design of the fourth and fifth phases will follow.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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