The Ontario government has announced the start of work to replace the Oshawa Wilson Road overpass in Durham, and in turn laying the groundwork to widen Highway 401.

GIP Paving Inc. has been awarded the contract.

“Whether it’s to get to work, visit friends and family, or transport goods, Highway 401 is a critical artery for people across the Greater Toronto Area,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “As Durham’s population grows, our government will continue to stand up for drivers by investing in the roads and bridges needed to tackle gridlock and shorten commute times for everyone.”

Construction on the Wilson Road overpass begins this summer with improvements to accommodate the replacement of the structure and the future widening of Highway 401. The project includes the installation of new taller light poles, upgrades to the existing noise barrier and new pedestrian sidewalks.

In addition to the Wilson Road overpass, the province is also replacing the Simcoe Street and Albert Street underpasses in Oshawa and rehabilitating two over-water bridges between Bowmanville and Clarington, as well as the overpass at the Highway 35/115 interchange west of Bowmanville and the Westney Road overpass on Highway 401 in Ajax.

The eastern corridor of Highway 401 accommodates approximately 120,000 vehicles and 10,000 trucks carrying $380 million in goods every day and is an essential part of Ontario’s network connecting eastern Ontario, Quebec and the US for international trade and economic development.

The province recently completed work to widen 18 kilometres of Highway 401 between Mississauga and Milton. The multi-lane expansion is helping to keep goods and people moving across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

"ORBA and its members commend the Ontario government on investing in critical transportation projects and connecting thousands of men and women with good-paying, local jobs in the process,” said Walid Abou-Hamde, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Road Builders’ Association.