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The Ontario government says it’s moving forward with a major infrastructure upgrade near Port Hope, replacing the Highway 401 Choate Road Overpass and Ganaraska River Bridge to prepare for the highway’s future widening.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says the upgrades are part of the province’s $30 billion plan to build and repair highways, roads and bridges. “Replacing these bridges near Port Hope is vital for eastern Ontario,” he said, noting it will save time for more than 50,000 daily drivers.
In addition to the new structures, the project includes resurfacing Highway 401 between County Road 2/Toronto Road and Cranberry Road. It is expected to support hundreds of construction jobs each year.
Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky welcomed the news, calling it a “significant investment in the future of Port Hope’s transportation infrastructure.”
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini says the improvements will help reduce gridlock and keep goods moving. He noted Highway 401 is used by 10,000 transport trucks daily, carrying $380 million worth of goods.
The project is part of a larger strategy to protect Ontario’s economy amid U.S. tariffs and ongoing uncertainty. To date, 20 bridges in eastern Ontario have already been replaced to support future widening. Planning studies are underway for more.
According to the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis, gridlock costs Ontario’s economy up to $56 billion a year.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
