Ontario wraps work on Grand River Bridges and overpass

Key Takeaways:

• The Ontario government has completed major bridge and overpass upgrades on Highway 401 between Kitchener and Cambridge, improving traffic flow and preparing the corridor for a future widening from six to 10 lanes
• The project is part of Ontario’s nearly $30 billion province-wide highway infrastructure plan aimed at reducing congestion, improving safety, and supporting economic growth
• Municipal leaders and construction industry groups say the upgrades will relieve gridlock, strengthen goods movement, and support long-term regional growth across southwestern Ontario

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government has completed construction of the Grand River bridges on Highway 401 and rehabilitation of the King Street overpass between Kitchener and Cambridge, shortening travel times through the corridor and preparing the highway for future widening from six to 10 lanes.

The project is part of the province’s nearly $30 billion plan to build, expand and repair highways, roads and bridges across Ontario. The Grand River bridges carry tens of thousands of vehicles daily, including a significant share of Ontario’s commercial traffic, and are located between the Homer Watson Boulevard and King Street interchanges.

“Our government is protecting Ontario with historic investments in highway infrastructure to help families spend less time in traffic and ensure businesses can move goods more reliably,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, in a news release. “Replacing the Grand River bridges will help strengthen the economy across southwestern Ontario and shorten commute times in Kitchener and Cambridge as the region continues to grow.”

The completion builds on ongoing work to widen and improve Highway 401 in southwestern Ontario, including a recent interchange opening at Highway 6 (Hanlon Expressway) and Highway 401 to reduce gridlock in the Guelph area.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the investment supports the region’s growth. “We are grateful to the province for their efforts to reduce gridlock, improve safety and ensure that commuters and goods can move more efficiently across Ontario’s Innovation Corridor,” he said in the release.

The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario called the completion “a significant milestone that will help reduce congestion, support future growth, and keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently.” The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association noted that “strong, modern infrastructure relies on a steady, close-to-market supply of aggregate.” LiUNA OPDC said the work “prepares the corridor for future widening from six to ten lanes, a critical step to supporting our growing communities.”