On Monday, Chatham-Kent Council will see a concrete vision for construction around the hwy 401/ hwy 40 interchange.
In addition to reconstructing the interchange ramp and replacing the bridge at Hwy 40, the Ministry of Transportation also wants to reconstruct a 9km stretch of the EB 401 between Bloomfield Rd. and Kent Bridge Rd. This would reduce the highway down to one lane in each direction for a portion of 2016. But the MTO adds it will facilitate potential future widening of the 401 for up to eight lanes.
Then in 2017, the interchange will be closed for an eight month period. While the interchange ramp is closed, alternative routes for trucks and vehicles will be made through Ridge Ln. to Kent Bridge, and also through Drury and Middle Lines to get to Bloomfield Rd. By 2018, it'll be time for repaving, with the interchange only closed during the overnight hours.
The MTO will still need to get permissions from the municipality regarding exemption from the noise bylaw, and allowing to impose the detours. They're hoping to get work started next year.
