A single barrier and official confirmation from the Transportation Minister are the only things standing in the way of commuters finally getting on the Hwy. 404 extension.

But it could be as early as next week, if recent construction is more of a concrete indicator than any official word from the Transportation Ministry.

If his schedule allows, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca should be here early next week to cut the ribbon to allow access to the 404, said Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi at council Tuesday on the heels of the minister’s announcement of Hwy. 410 widening at a media conference in Brampton Tuesday.

Having said that, no official announcement has been made from the minister’s office despite the town’s persistent attempts at better updates, the mayor added.

As of Wednesday, the ministry was still tight-lipped as to an official opening of the 13-kilometre, four-lane extension between Green Lane in the south and Ravenshoe Road in Keswick, under construction since July 2010 and originally slated for completion by December 2012.

But imminent would seem a natural conclusion to the fact Powell Contracting Ltd. removed the concrete barriers marking the southern and northern entrances of the highway Monday.

“I just happen to think if they are removing barriers, that it may be pretty soon,” Grossi said.

Removing the last barrier standing to traffic, however, may be just that since that is typical procedure when the province opens newly completed sections of highway, said an MTO spokesperson two weeks ago.

Minor landscaping and extending some guardrails were the only issues remaining prior to opening, according to the ministry.