Concrete barriers. February 26, 2020. Photo via Concrete Brothers)Concrete barriers. February 26, 2020. Photo via Concrete Brothers)
Chatham

Next step taken in 401 barrier plan

Concrete barriers on a section of Highway 401 in the Tilbury area are a step closer.

The Ontario government announced Wednesday that it is now looking for a contractor to widen the highway and install concrete median barriers on the first 11 kilometres of the project between Tilbury and Merlin Road in Chatham-Kent.

"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."

Ministry officials said the project involves widening 11 kilometres of Highway 401 from four to six lanes, adding a new storm sewer system, safety improvements, and the construction of the concrete median barrier.

The ministry added building a concrete median barrier will help improve safety and reduce the likelihood of cross-median collisions.

"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."

In January, the province released its first regional transportation plan, called Connecting the Southwest, to address the unique needs of the region. The province said Highway 401 is part of the Windsor to Quebec corridor, which has two-thirds of the freight transported by commercial vehicles between Ontario and the United States. Highway 401 between Tilbury and London sees an average of 23,300 vehicles every day.

Premier Doug Ford promised concrete barriers for Highway 401 when he campaigned in Chatham in April of 2018.

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