Ontario Construction News staff writer
Dufferin Construction has begun construction work on the expansion of Highway 3 in St. Thomas, a major transportation project intended to improve access to the city’s growing industrial sector and Volkswagen’s electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility.
Construction will expand nearly seven kilometres of Highway 3 between Centennial Avenue and Ron McNeil Line, where the route will connect with the future Talbotville Bypass.
Once complete, the Highway 3 expansion and Talbotville Bypass will create a direct connection between Highway 401 and St. Thomas, supporting residential, commercial and industrial development throughout Elgin County.
Crews have begun early construction activities, including utility relocations and grading, with the work marking an initial step toward the broader Highway 3 expansion.
“The expansion of Highway 3 will connect people to good-paying jobs, support housing growth and help businesses access the workforce they need to drive economic growth,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s minister of transportation.
The highway project is also needed for the development of Volkswagen Group’s new electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas, being developed by its battery company, PowerCo.
8Volkswagen announced a $7-billion investment in the facility in April 2023. Construction is underway on what is expected to become Canada’s largest EV battery manufacturing plant.
The highway improvements are expected to improve access to the St. Thomas Industrial Park, improve transportation connections for workers and help position the region to attract additional commercial and industrial investment.
“As our government continues to attract historic, job-creating investments from global companies, we are investing in critical infrastructure to support this growth,” said Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade.
“By expanding Highway 3, we will strengthen access to the St. Thomas Industrial Park, reduce commute times for workers, and position the region to attract new businesses.”
The project is part of a broader infrastructure push tied to the region’s rapid industrial growth. Improved connections between Highway 401, St. Thomas and surrounding communities are expected to support new housing, employment and industrial development as major investments move forward.
“The City of St. Thomas welcomes the Province’s continued progress on Highway 3 twinning,” said Mayor Joe Preston. “Advancing enabling works such as utility relocations and grading is an important milestone toward full construction beginning in 2027.”
Improvements are needed to improve safety and strengthen connections for residents and businesses while supporting continued growth in St. Thomas, the surrounding region and Southwestern Ontario.
The Highway 3 expansion is expected to play a key role in accommodating increased traffic and supporting the transportation needs generated by the region’s expanding industrial base, including the Volkswagen battery plant.
