The MTO says improvements at the Hwy. 40 interchange and the Hwy. 401 in Chatham are on time and on budget, so far.
Spokesperson Liane Fisher says crews haven't hit any snags since construction began.
Fisher says the old 40 bridge over the 401 was demolished and the new overpass is being made longer and wider to accommodate future 401 widening through that area, whenever it happens.
"Residents in the area will see the pieces go back into place as the summer progresses and the bridge will be rebuilt on the same alignment but will be longer and wider to accommodate future Highway 401 widening, if that's needed in the future," says Fisher.
The $62-million project started in early April and should last until November.
The work includes new bridges over the Lucas Drain and McGregor Creek as well as improvements to the eastbound 401 from Bloomfield Rd. to Kent Bridge Rd.
Bridges usually last 50 to 75 years and Fisher says it makes no sense to replace the overpass again, if the 401 gets widened during that time.
"The last thing we want is to widen those bridges again in the future, if we come to that point where the 401 is going to be widened," Fisher says.
Fisher says drivers should be happy with the improved sightlines when the work is all done.
"The bridge will be rebuilt on the same alignment but will be longer and wider to accommodate future 401 widening, if that's needed. As well as alignment improvements along Hwy. 40 to make everything flow better in that area," says Fisher.