Construction of a new bridge, that's expected to increase safety and ease traffic congestion to Sarnia-Lambton's industrial corridor, is expected to take two years.
Crews are currently building the elevated roads, on the west side of Highway 40 just south of Confederation Street, leading up to what will be a new four lane bridge over the CN Rail (CNR) lines.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) told Sarnia News Today the contract was awarded last year.
"The Highway 40 CNR bridge replacement contract was awarded to Facca Inc. in fall 2024 for $31.77 million," the MTO said in an email. "The new bridge will be built to the west of the existing bridge to minimize the need for local road detours as traffic will remain on the existing bridge during the construction phase. This new bridge will accommodate a future four-lane configuration of Highway 40 through Sarnia."
The work, according to the MTO, will take a few years to complete.
"Construction work began in spring 2025 and is scheduled to be complete in summer 2027," the MTO said.
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey is thrilled to see the project finally underway.
"It's part of the long term reconstruction of the Modeland Road / Highway 40 link to Highway 402. Long required and finally here," Bailey said.
Bailey said he's often surprised by the amount of traffic along that stretch of road.
"I usually take that road to my office, coming in from the country, and it's amazing... early in the morning between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. how much traffic is on there that you meet," he said.
Bailey said he pushed to keep local road detours to a minimum.
"One time they talked about rerouting traffic through the city and other areas, and I said 'no, that's not going to work.' So, they went back to the drawing board and at the end of the day they made the right decision. To keep the road open with the existing bridge in place until a new one is built," Bailey said.
Bailey said it's the first step in about an eight kilometre stretch that needs improvement.
"I think it's going to be safer. Heavy trucks that are always travelling either east or west on the 402... it's going to be far safer for them [and] far safer for the general public," he said.
The MTO told Sarnia News Today in 2022, the old bridge would be removed once the new one is complete.
It was built in 1965 and rehabilitated in 1986.