Traffic nightmare: Hamilton motorists should avoid parts of downtown, Hwy 403 this weekend

After postponing the project last month, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will complete rehabilitation work on the 403 at the Macklin St. and Old Guelph Rd. overpasses this weekend, closing a portion of the highway between King St. West and Highway 6.

If possible, motorists should avoid a portion of the eastbound lanes of Highway 403 and areas of the lower city this weekend.

The work begins Friday (Sept. 30) at 11 p.m. and is expected to be wrapped up by 5 a.m. on Monday (Oct. 3).

Entrance ramps from King St. West. and York Blvd to the eastbound 403 will also be closed. Motorists should expect traffic delays along adjacent arterial roads, such as Main and King streets and the surrounding lower city.

The planned MTO bridge rehabilitation work includes:

• Removal and replacement of existing asphalt and waterproofing
• Removal of select deteriorating concrete in deck
• Concrete patch repairs on deck, soffit, and fascia
• Crack injection on barriers and abutment walls
• Replacement of a 4-metre section of the concrete centre median on the Old Guelph Road structure
• Repaving of Macklin St. (underneath Highway 403) within the MTO right-of-way

As a result of this closure, road users from the highway will be detoured using the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway.

“Motorists travelling on the eastbound 403 should follow signs for detours, and motorists travelling through the downtown area should allow extra travel time as additional traffic is expected,” says the city.

Passengers travelling on HSR routes 5 Delaware, 6 Aberdeen, 7 Locke, 8 York, 9 Rock Gardens, 10 B-Line, and 51 University may experience delays due to traffic.