There is a light at the end of the tunnel for drivers who have been forced to take detours on and around Hwy. 40 just outside of Chatham.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation says they plan to re-open Hwy. 40 (Communication Rd.) and the interchange ramps at the Hwy. 401 by the end of the month.
Drivers are still being reminded to slow down and pay close attention to traffic in the construction zones there, but ministry officials say all of the ramps are expected to open at the same time in November.
An email from an MTO spokesperson says the westbound lanes of the Hwy. 401 will be fully opened later this month, too.
MTO staff say the project as a whole remains on schedule, with sewers and curbs still to be installed and some asphalt paving still to be completed before the interchange is opened and work is shut down for the winter.
More construction is planned for 2018, including surface asphalt paving on Hwy. 40 and the interchange ramps as well as landscaping and clean-up. That work is scheduled to start in May and wrap up by late June 2018.
