Province issues Highway 6 interchange RFP
The Ontario government announced on July 15 that it has issued a Request for Proposal procurement package to design and build an interchange along one of the province’s busiest two-lane highway corridors.
The documents call for proponents to issue proposals for a Highway 6/Hanlon Expressway Midblock Interchange. The interchange is expected to alleviate congestion on local roads, enhance Highway 6 between Guelph and Hamilton, and bypass traffic around Morriston.
The province says the Highway 6 corridor through Morriston is considered one of the busiest two-lane highways in Ontario with average daily traffic volumes of between 23,000 and 26,000 vehicles per day.
“Our government is making smart investments in highways, roads and bridges to strengthen and expand our highway network,” said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney. “We are one step closer to constructing the next phase of this essential work to make our roads safer, alleviate traffic congestion throughout the communities of Morriston and Aberfoyle, and to help this important region grow.”
The new interchange will remove two at-grade intersections along Hanlon Expressway, creating an improved link between Highway 401 and the Guelph area. Removal of these at-grade intersections is required before construction of future interchange improvements at Highway 401 and Highway 6 North can proceed and supports and improves connectivity between Guelph and Hamilton.
The design-build teams will be shortlisted from the Expression of Interest phase, and invited to submit proposals for design and construction. Proposals will be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation in October, with the design-build contract scheduled for award in winter 2021/22. Construction should begin later in 2022 following completion of the detail design.
Work on the Highway 6 corridor is part of the province’s draft Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario. The document includes a commitment to improve connections between Ontario’s southwest markets and the east by advancing design work to construct a bypass around the community of Morriston and making upgrades to the south end of Highway 6 in Guelph.
Phase 1 of the Highway 6 and 401 Morriston Bypass expansion project was completed last year when the replacement of Puslinch Concession Road 7 Bridge over Highway 401 was completed.
Featured image: The interchange will help to bypass traffic around Morriston. (Government of Ontario)