Major construction closes Highway 401 lane for months through west Toronto

Spring is here and that means construction season has begun on major highways through the GTA.

As commuters deal with lane restrictions on the Gardiner Expressway for the next three years, another long-term construction project could cause traffic headaches on Highway 401.

The Ministry of Transportation started a rehabilitation project on the Highway 401 express lanes and the Dufferin Street, Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue bridges between Jane Street and Yonge Street in May of 2023.

This project resumed this week and will result in a “long-term lane closure,” a Ministry of Transportation spokesperson told insauga.com. 

The Highway 401 westbound express closure started yesterday (April 24) and will continue until winter shutdown, the spokesperson said.

A full lane reduction in the westbound lanes from east of Jane Street to west of Yonge Street will begin Saturday morning, the spokesperson said.

This project includes 24/7 construction as the contractor is working days and nights and also on weekends.

Throughout construction, various temporary lane and ramp closures will also be required to facilitate different operations, and will be communicated to the public closer to the date, the spokesperson said.

But an additional lane is being added to the Highway 401 westbound collector lanes to help ease congestion during the construction.

This project will extend the life span of the existing infrastructure and reduce maintenance requirements.

The work is weather-dependant but the project is expected to be complete next year.