The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is undertaking a multi-year construction project to widen and improve approximately 118 km of Highway 401.

Stantec Consulting Limited was retained by MTO to complete the Preliminary Design, initiate Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to address the future needs of the Highway 401 corridor from Tilbury to London within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Elgin County, Middlesex County, and City of London. The study will consider pavement and bridge improvements, corridor management, highway safety, traffic operations, environmental impacts, drainage, and maintenance operations.

Project Details

Municipality of Chatham-Kent (C-K) (Merlin Road to C-K/Elgin County Boundary) Widening/reconstruction of approximately 55 km of Highway 401 (addition of one lane in the median in each direction) and construction of a concrete median barrier TESR Review and initiate Detail Design Group B Class EA (GWP 3024-18-00). Interchange and underpass improvements TESR Review and initiate Detail Design Group B Class EA (GWP 3078-18-00).

Elgin County (C-K/Elgin County Boundary to Union Road) Widening/reconstruction of approximately 39 km of Highway 401 (addition of one lane in the median in each direction) and construction of a concrete median barrier Preliminary Design and Initiate Detail Design Group C Class EA (GWP 3073-17-00). Interchange and underpass improvements Preliminary Design and initiate Detail Design Group B Class EA (GWP 3079-18-00).

Elgin/Middlesex Counties (Union Road to Highway 4 (Col. Talbot Road)) Widening/reconstruction of approximately 14 km of Highway 401 (addition of one lane in the median in each direction) and construction of a concrete median barrier Preliminary Design and initiate Detail Design Group C Class EA (GWP 3038-19-00). Interchange and underpass improvements Preliminary Design and initiate Detail Design Group B Class EA (GWP 3079-18-00).

Middlesex County/City of London (Highway 4 (Col. Talbot Road) and Wellington Road) Widening/reconstruction of approximately 10 km of Highway 401 (addition of one lane on the outside in each direction) and underpass improvements TESR Review and initiate Detail Design Group B Class EA (GWP 3025-18-00). The design of the Highway 401/Highway 4 (Col. Talbot Road) Interchange improvements, including the replacement of the Glanworth Drive Underpass, is being undertaken as a separate project by Dillon Consulting Limited.

Review of requirement and location for a new patrol yard within the Highway 401 corridor between Tilbury and London

Construction Sequence and Schedule

The study will consider the overall construction sequence for the proposed improvements. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2021 subject to funding and approvals. Specific timing for the various components of construction will be confirmed as the study progresses and will be provided on the project website for each GWP when it becomes available.