Lane closures minimized to avoid weekend traffic peaks on 400

The Ontario government is repairing sections of Highway 400 from north of Canal Road to south of St. Vincent St. to keep the road in good condition for residents, commuters and tourists.

Construction work will be done 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday at six locations, one location per week. Lanes will be open and no construction work will take place during weekends or on statutory or civic holidays.

Weather permitting, work is scheduled to begin August 21 and includes repairing 19 catch basins and culverts along the Highway 400 median.

The $1.7-million construction contract was awarded to K. J. Beamish Construction of King City and work is expected to be complete by late 2006.

During construction one northbound and one southbound inside lane will be closed at the following six site locations:

Churchill Side Road (6th Line) to Stroud Road (9th Line)

Newton Robinson Side Road (11th Line) to Hwy 89

Simcoe Road 88 to Newton Robinson Side Road (11th Line) Bayfield St. (Hwy. 26) to St. Vincent St. Hwy. 89 to Churchill Sideroad (6th Line)

Canal Road to Simcoe Road 88

Lane closures at the first construction site from Churchill Side Road (6th Line) to Stroud Road (9th Line) will be in effect:

Northbound lane from 12 a.m. Monday, August 21 to 6 a.m.

Friday, August 25

Southbound lane from 10 a.m. Monday, August 21 to 6 a.m.

Drivers travelling to and from the Barrie area are encouraged to plan ahead, check traffic information and use alternative routes.

Drivers may experience delays during peak hours, Monday to Thursday. To minimize any impacts these lane closures may have on drivers, the ministry will provide realtime traffic information through media bulletins, the ministry's website at www.roadinfo.mto.gov.on.ca and road information line at (416) 235-4686, or toll-free at 1-800-2684686.

In addition, portable message signs will be placed along Highway 400 near the construction site and outlying areas one week before construction begins and while construction is underway to advise drivers about lane closures.

This project is part of the $3.4 billion, five-year Southern Ontario Highways Program.