Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on a new interchange at the intersection of Highways 5 and 6 in Hamilton’s Waterdown area, a project designed to improve traffic flow and safety along the provincial highway corridor.
The project at Clappison’s Corners will replace the existing at-grade intersection with a new bridge carrying Highway 5 over Highway 6, along with new on- and off-ramps.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation said the improvements are intended to enhance traffic flow and connectivity, address future capacity issues and improve safety along the corridor.
Work began in summer 2026 and is expected to be completed by winter 2030.
Green Infrastructure Partners (GIP) was awarded the construction contract, while Parsons is providing construction administration services on behalf of the ministry.
In addition to the new interchange, the project includes construction of associated municipal roads and a new commuter parking lot.
Highway 6 will be resurfaced between the southern limit of the new interchange and Highway 403. Part of Highway 5 will be widened to six lanes, with space provided for a potential additional southbound lane connecting to Highway 6.
The work also includes multi-use paths on both sides of Dundas Street East and Highway 5 between Clappison Avenue and Innovation Drive, as well as bicycle lanes on Highway 5 between Innovation and Coreslab drives.
Other improvements include drainage upgrades, new lighting and traffic signals, and construction of municipal water mains and sanitary sewers.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the project will address congestion at the intersection, which is used by commuters and commercial vehicles travelling through Hamilton and Burlington.
Peter Smith, executive director of the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto, described the intersection as a bottleneck for decades.
He said northbound trucks on Highway 6 must slow down on the steep grade while crossing three lanes of traffic to turn west, creating a safety concern.
Hamilton mayor-elect Keanin Loomis attended a news conference at the construction site Friday with Sarkaria and local MPPs. He said he looked forward to working with the province while ensuring residents receive timely construction updates.
Mountain Brow Road, Commercial Drive, Innovation Drive, the Solar Drive extension, Sureres Drive, Clugston Avenue and Parkside Drive are among the roads identified as being affected by construction.
Further information on the preliminary and detailed designs and the Class Environmental Assessment study is available at hwy5andhwy6interchange.ca.
