More traffic delays in Mississauga as work on QEW/Credit River bridge continues

Drivers can expect minor traffic disruptions around Mississauga Rd. and the QEW for an additional three weeks and beyond as work on the new highway bridge over the Credit River continues. 

Officials with the QEW/Credit River Improvement Project say the latest traffic impact will see a temporary lane reduction in the area extended for at least another 21 days. 

Until May 6 at 4 p.m., Premium Way and Lynchmere Ave. will be reduced to one lane daily (weekdays only) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. as crews complete sanitary sewer work.

The job was initially to be completed by April 1, and then April 14, but “due to some construction challenges encountered with the sanitary sewer installation work, the crews will require additional time to complete the work,” project officials say.

Crews expect only minor traffic disruptions and minor noise impacts during the specified time period. Flaggers will control the flow of traffic, ensuring two-way traffic is maintained at all times.

Also, the section of Premium Way between Dickson Rd. and Lynchmere Ave., initially to see work completed several weeks ago, will see lane restrictions extended until April 29 at 4 p.m.

Project officials say lane restrictions there will not be needed every day.

Meanwhile, night and weekend work along the 2.6-km stretch of the QEW from Hurontario St. to Mississauga Rd. will impact traffic for the duration of construction.

After years of planning, work on the new bridge continues to move forward. 

Officials with EllisDon Corp. and Coco Paving Inc., who head up the building team awarded the $313.8-million contract in late 2020, say the stakeholder review and comment period ended last November.

That meant the massive project met requirements of an environmental assessment and was given the green light to move forward with construction. 

Work this winter includes: 

• rehabilitation of the existing 87-year-old, historically significant QEW bridge over the Credit River  
• new active transportation (walking, cycling, in-line skating, etc.) bridge across the Credit River 
• landscape design 
• design refinements 
• commemoration and aesthetic treatment strategies 

The project, first studied by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in 2013, initially called for demolition of the existing 840-ft.-long bridge, which was built in 1934 and expanded in 1960.   

However, public outcry and strong opposition from Mississauga City council in late 2019 changed the provincial government’s mind, and it was decided the existing span, located just east of Mississauga Rd., would be rehabilitated instead.  

The Province said that based on the feedback it received in the aftermath of the demolition announcement, it made the decision to preserve the original heritage structure of the bridge, which is owned by the Ontario government.