Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario is proceeding with an Expression of Interest to procure a contractor to widen and install concrete median barriers on the first 11 km of the project between Tilbury and Merlin Road in Chatham-Kent. This is part of the government’s plan to build safer and better highways to get people and goods moving to support Ontario’s economy and quality of life.
“We are committed to making sure that our transportation system works for all Ontarians,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America – and our government intends to keep it that way.”
Highway 401 is part of the Windsor/Sarnia–Quebec corridor, which includes two-thirds of the freight transported by commercial vehicles between Ontario and the United States. The stretch between Tilbury and London sees approximately on average of 23,300 vehicles every day.
The project involves widening 11 km of Highway 401 from four to six lanes, a new storm sewer system, safety improvements, and the construction of the concrete median barrier. Building a concrete median barrier will help improve safety and reduce the likelihood of cross median collisions.
The 118-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between London and Tilbury, a town near the western border of Chatham-Kent, was dubbed Carnage Alley because of the number of fatal cross-median crashes.
Initial stages of the project will involve widening the 11 kilometres between Tilbury and Merlin, another small Chatham-Kent community, from four to six lanes while building the lobbied-for concrete median barriers.
Acknowledging the announcement is “certainly the most detailed release we’ve seen in some time,” Storey added a lot of promises have been made by various transportation ministers since the grassroots Build the Barrier group began pushing for action a few years ago. Storey said her group has encouraged whoever is serving in that portfolio to hurry the process where safely possible.
“People’s safety on Ontario’s roads and highways, especially on Highway 401, is one of our government’s top priorities,” said Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London.
“Our government continues to take real action on our commitment to widen and install concrete barriers on this dangerous stretch of highway to make our roads safer for drivers and get people where they want to go across southwestern Ontario faster.”
Connecting the Southwest: A Draft Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario was released in January 2020. It includes real, practical improvements to connect people to places and ensure a seamless transit experience.