Government of Ontario breaks ground on long-awaited Highway 5 and 6 interchange in Waterdown
The intersection, also known as Clappison’s Corners, has been one of the area’s worst traffic bottlenecks for decades.
The Ontario government has started construction on a new interchange at Highway 5 and Highway 6 in Waterdown. The intersection, also known as Clappison’s Corners, has been one of the area’s worst traffic bottlenecks for decades.
“Large trucks in the northbound lanes of Highway 6 approaching the intersection slow sharply due to the steep grade all while moving across three lanes of traffic to turn west,” explained Peter Smith, executive director of the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto. “This new interchange will ease congestion and remove a major safety concern at the same time.”
The province announced the start of work on Friday. The plan replaces the existing at-grade signalized intersection with a new bridge that will carry Highway 5 over Highway 6, along with new on- and off-ramps. Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a statement that the new interchange “will reduce gridlock, improve safety and make life easier for the thousands of drivers who rely on this route every day.”
The project has been discussed for decades. The Ministry of Transportation finished a preliminary design study in 2003. GIP Paving Inc. has been awarded the contract to build the interchange. According to the province, the project also includes widening a section of Highway 5 to six lanes, building a new commuter parking lot in the northeast quadrant of the interchange, and adding multi-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Hamilton Independent previously reported that the commuter lot will allow for a future GO bus stop, according to a Design and Construction Report prepared by engineering firm Arcadis.
Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook, said the project is “about more than infrastructure.”
“It’s about improving the daily lives of the people who live, work and travel in our community,” said Skelly. “This new interchange will help reduce congestion, improve access for commuters and businesses and support the continued growth of one of Hamilton’s fastest-growing areas.”
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Multi-use paths will be added on both sides of Dundas Street East and Highway 5 between Clappison Avenue and Innovation Drive. Bicycle lanes will be added on Highway 5 between Innovation Drive and Coreslab Drive. The project website lists more work beyond the bridge itself. This includes leaving room for a possible future extra southbound lane on Highway 6, relocating sanitary sewer and watermain infrastructure, installing full roadway lighting and new traffic signals at ramp terminals, and improving drainage.
The project also covers nearby municipal roads. Work is planned on Mountain Brow Road, Commercial Drive, Innovation Drive, the Solar Drive extension, Sureres Drive, Clugston Avenue, and Parkside Drive. Highway 6 will also be resurfaced from the south end of the new interchange to Highway 403.
Jeff Beattie, MPP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, said the upgrades are overdue for a corridor with a long history. “Highways 5 and 6 have been moving people and goods across our region for well over a century. Now it’s time to allow residents and business owners to have a smoother, more efficient, and safer route in and out of their community,” said Beattie. He added that the investment will allow for “better connections to Waterloo Region, Wellington County and western Ontario.”
Business and industry groups also pointed to the project’s regional reach. Nadia Todorova, executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, said it will “strengthen a critical transportation connection between Hamilton and Burlington.” Daniel Tisch, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, called it “an important investment in regional connectivity that will help strengthen business growth and economic competitiveness across Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding region.”
According to the project website, work is expected to be completed by the winter of 2030. The Arcadis report lays out the work in 14 stages. Off-peak lane closures will be needed for various short construction operations. Temporary detours will also be used during some stages of construction. These will use the surrounding arterial roads, with signs posted in advance. Updates on major closures will be posted on the project website.