2008 Highlights & Planned Accomplishments

In 2008, the Ontario government plans to invest $927 million to expand and repair highway infrastructure in Southern Ontario. Some of the many highway projects starting this year are highlighted below and in the following pages. Separate sections contain the maps and lists of all major southern highway projects underway or starting between 2008 and 2012. Major highway projects are generally greater than $1 million in value; the ministry also contracts hundreds of smaller value highway projects that are not included in this document. These projects include spot improvements, strategies to maintain components in good repair until a major investment is appropriate, or minor work to improve highway operations.

Due to unpredictable aspects of highway planning and construction, the program outlined in this document may vary slightly. Factors such as property acquisition, weather, environmental considerations and approvals, traffic staging, design changes and unexpected field conditions can affect construction schedules. As well, all projects are subject to approvals under various pieces of legislation, including the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. Each year the government prepares a new budget which may impact funding. It is important to recognize that these factors may impact project timing.

PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Six-laning of Highway 401, Woodstock to Cambridge, Oxford Road 2 to Drumbo Road (Phase 3)

This is the third and final project that completes the widening of Highway 401, from four to six lanes, between Woodstock and Cambridge. In addition to widening 15.3 km of highway, improvements include: median barriers; emergency access roads at Oxford County Road 22; interchange reconstruction at Drumbo Road; and rehabilitation and/or widening of five structures. These improvements will improve traffic operations and enhance safety. Completion is expected by 2011.

In co-ordination with the University of Waterloo and the Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology, Ontario is incorporating a 8.0 km test section of Perpetual Pavement into this project. Perpetual Pavement is a flexible pavement system that is designed with a thick pavement structure to resist cracking and rutting, to last 50 years or more with only periodic surface renewal.

Rehabilitation of Highway 6, Fergus to Arthur, Arthur to Mount Forest

Rehabilitation of the Arthur to Mount Forest section of Highway 6 includes: repaving 12.5 km of highway; replacement of Farley's Creek and Four Mile Creek bridges; repair of Smokey Creek and Mitchell Creek bridges; concrete culvert repairs; and new passing lanes. These improvements will help ease traffic congestion along this corridor. The project is currently scheduled to be complete in 2009.

This project, and the previous project on this corridor from Fergus to Arthur, both use in-place full depth reclamation, an efficient pavement recycling method that increases pavement strength and conserves energy and aggregates.

Four-laning of Highway 7, Highway 417 to Carleton Place: Jinkinson Road to Ashton Station Road (Phase 2)

Work will begin this year on the second phase of four-laning Highway 7, between Jinkinson Road to Ashton Station Road. For the most part, road widening will take place to the south side of the highway and the existing two lanes will become the westbound lanes on the new freeway. Construction involves two interchanges at major cross roads, Dwyer Hill Road and Ashton Station Road, and building five new structures including two Highway 7 underpass bridges at Ashton Station Road and Dwyer Hill Road, the bridge crossing at North Service Road / Lavallee Creek and culverts at Highway 7 and the TransCanada Trail, including removal of the existing CPR overhead structure. Work also includes installation of lighting and drainage improvements. A new carpool lot will be built at Dwyer Hill Road. Completion is expected by 2010.

Resurfacing of Highway 7, Lansdowne Street to East of Drummond Line, Peterborough

In order to address poor pavement conditions and increasing seasonal and commuter traffic volumes, Highway 7 will be resurfaced, with work beginning this year. Construction includes: pavement widening to provide a continuous two-way left turn lane, intersection improvements, upgrading traffic signals, signs and lighting, drainage improvements, and upgrading the commuter parking lot. Completion is expected by 2009.

Bridge Replacement, Highway 417/Ottawa Queensway, Clyde Avenue Bridge

This summer, the ministry used rapid replacement technology for the second time at the Clyde Avenue Bridge on Highway 417. As done with the Island Park Bridge in Ottawa last year, the bridge was constructed off-site at the City of Ottawa Snow Disposal Facility, located close to the existing bridge site. After bridge construction, rapid lift technology was used to remove the existing bridge, then transport the new bridge to the site. Work also included installation of lighting, noise wall replacement, drainage improvements, median barrier replacement and landscaping. Work was completed August 2008.

Rehabilitation of Highway 409, Highway 427 to Highway 401, Toronto

Starting this year, work will begin to rehabilitate Highway 409. Roadwork includes repairs to the concrete base of the main lanes, resurfacing of the entire length of all lanes, reconstruction of the median to install new barriers and lighting, and improvements to drainage. This project also includes extensive bridgework, with repairs to 13 roadway structures, including: Highway 409 over Mimico Creek, Attwell Drive overpass, Highway 27 underpass, City View Drive underpass, CN Subway — Highbury Spur Line over Highway 409, CN Subway — Aylmer Spur Line over Highway 409, Iron Street underpass, Martin Grove Road underpass, Shaft Road underpass, Kipling Ave. overpass, and the Highway 409 ramps to Highway 401. Construction also includes the installation of nine new overhead signs, replacement of traffic signals at four locations and other lighting improvements, as well as installation of automated traffic management equipment.

Generally, repairs to driving lanes will take place during off-peak hours. Repairs requiring multi-lane closures will be carried out at night. In both cases, movable concrete barrier will be used to provide the most driving lanes at all times for the travelling public.

Rehabilitation of Highway 427, QEW to Highway 401

Work will begin this year on rehabilitation of the northbound express lanes between QEW and Highway 401. Bridgework includes the repair or replacement of several bridge decks, including the three structures along Ramp QEW/W — 427N, as well as the North Queen Street, CP Rail, Ramp QEW /E — 427N, and Dundas Street structures. The Bloor Street, Rathburn Road and Burnhamthorpe Road underpasses will undergo repairs. Road construction includes road repairs using precast concrete slab replacement methods in some sections, top course paving along the entire length, and improvements to sewers and drainage structures.