The province will eventually build concrete barriers on the 401 between London and Tilbury.
Ontario Minister of Transportation Kathryn McGarry announced Monday that it will need to do the necessary planning work, which includes an Environmental Assessment to widen the stretch of the 401.
McGarry issued the following statement below:
“Our government is committed to ensuring that our roads remain the safest in North America. As the Minister of Transportation and as the MPP for a community in Southwestern Ontario I took the decision on how best to improve safety on Highway 401 between London and Tilbury very seriously. This decision came after additional work and analysis by ministry staff and many important conversations with families and advocates who have personally felt the impact of a fatal collision on this highway.
We will be building a concrete barrier. However before we do so, we need to do the necessary planning work, which includes an Environmental Assessment to widen this stretch of Highway 401."
McGarry says the planning will take time but in the short-term, the province will be installing high-tension cable barriers.
The team at the ministry will speed up installation of these barriers starting in a few months, so they will be up sooner than originally planned.