When, oh when, will the construction end on the Highway 427 overpass that crosses above Albion Road?

It’s a question that occurs to drivers and particularly pedestrians who often endure narrowed traffic lanes and mud-caked sidewalks while traveling through the overpass.

Albion is a key route into the city for traffic coming from the northwest, while the area surrounding the overpass is home to industrial facilities with many employees who ride the bus to and from work.

It adds up to a high volume of vehicles on the road and lots of people who take the TTC to work and have to walk through the overpass to get to their job or a bus stop.

Michael Davis emailed to say that for years he has regularly driven along Highway 50, which turns into Albion at the Toronto city limits, while on his way to work from Bolton.

“For years, the (City, Province?) has been working on the bridge on the 427 underpass if you are on Albion Road,” said Davis. “Clearly, there is some structural problem but they can’t seem to fix it.

“Traffic is often narrowed into one lane in each direction. Then all looks OK until it isn’t and work commences again.

“This saga doesn’t seem to have an end and it must involve enormous cost. Surely there has to be an Engineer of Nobel Prize calibre who can make it right.”

Google Street View shows work on the underpass being done off and on over the past several years.

I was there on a recent Sunday and found that the sidewalk on the south side was coated with mud in several spots – a violation of a city bylaw that prohibits fouling the road allowance – while the sidewalk on the north side was blocked by construction equipment.

Pedestrians and complying with bylaws would seem to be a low priority for the contractor.

STATUS: Eric Holmes of transportation services emailed to say the work is part of a larger provincial project to add lanes to the 427, but couldn’t say when it’ll be done. I asked the provincial transportation ministry for details last week, but so far, no information. As for the mud and blocked sidewalks, “city staff investigated the site and met with the site supervisor. A sweeper has since attended the location to clear the road and sidewalk of any mud and debris. The supervisor was reminded that they are required to ensure the road and sidewalks are kept clear of mud and debris. Staff will continue to monitor the site.”

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