Overpass demolished at Dorchester Road and Highway 401
The overpass at Dorchester Road has been demolished, and traffic is flowing freely on the 401.
The road and off-ramps were open Sunday morning after work was done through the night Saturday.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) said the project includes realigning and replacing the bridge with a new four-lane bridge and reconfiguring the interchange ramps.
“This is a badly overdue project and we're very grateful the province of Ontario has jumped in with some infrastructure money to get the job done and, in the end, it will be so much better for this area,” Thames Centre Mayor Sharron McMillan told CTV News prior to the demolition.
The Dorchester Road overpass was demolished on April 13, 2024. (Courtesy: Tom Szoldatits)The demolition was the second stage of the project after construction commenced earlier this month.
A girder erection will take place this summer, and the 401 eastbound on/off ramp will close from July to October. The project is anticipated to be complete in June 2025.
Thomas McQuinn, who has been driving a truck for 40 years, said he’s travelled along Highway 401 many times and that the work is necessary, but will cause a bit of a delay for those heading west on the 401.
"To get into the fuel bar here (Dorchester Road exit), you have to go about 15 miles out of your way to come into the fuel bar, so that's a bit of an inconvenience, depending on which way you're going on the 401,” said McQuinn.
The Dorchester Road overpass was demolished on April 13, 2024. (Courtesy: Tom Szoldatits) Those travelling eastbound can still exit at Dorchester Road.
McMillan recognizes the construction will impact residents and businesses along the 401, but said they are working to mitigate that problem.
For project details travellers can visit the Ontario 511 website for project updates.
—With files from CTV News London's Reta Ismail
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.