Highway 400 lane closures minimized to avoid weekend traffic peaks

BARRIE, ON, Sept. 10 /CNW/ The inside southbound and northbound lane along Highway 400 between Simcoe Road 88 and Newton Robinson Side Road (11th Line) is scheduled to be closed, weather permitting, the week of September 11-15, 2006 for repairs along the median.

Lane closures will be in effect for:

Northbound lane from 12:00 a.m. Monday, September 11 to 6:00 a.m. until Friday, September 15

Southbound lane from 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 11 to 6:00 a.m. until Friday, September 15

"Keeping Highway 400 in good repair, while minimizing impact to drivers, is important to the more than 85,000 drivers who use this road on an average week day," said Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield. "Using weekday lane closures and an around-the-clock construction schedule will reduce overall construction time by as much as one month."

During this construction period, the remaining two lanes in each direction will remain open. Construction will not take place during weekends or on statutory or civic holidays.

Drivers travelling to and from the Barrie area are encouraged to plan ahead, check traffic information, watch the signs for upcoming construction locations and use alternative routes.

To minimize any impacts these lane closures may have on drivers, the ministry will provide real-time traffic information through media bulletins, the ministry's website and telephone information line.

In addition, portable message signs will be placed along Highway 400 near the construction site and outlying areas to advise drivers about lane closures.

For up-to-date road condition information on major highways in the area,visit www.roadinfo. mto.gov.on.ca http://www.roadinfo.mto.gov.on.ca or call the ministry's road information line at (416) 235-4686, or toll-free at 1800-268-4686.