Highway 403 ramp in Ancaster a step closer
Officials representing the city and province are experiencing some movement in the long-awaited effort to construct a westbound onramp from Mohawk Road to Highway 403.
Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson, Hamilton and provincial representatives met in mid-July to discuss issues surrounding developing a legal agreement that would outline the areas of responsibility for the design, construction and maintenance of the on-ramp.
Ferguson said the province is supporting the idea of a two-lane on-ramp, which could also have a light to regulate traffic entering Highway 403.
Michelle Mendonca, spokesperson for the Ontario transportation ministry, said in an email Hamilton has started an environmental assessment and preliminary design study for the proposed ramp.
She said the city will be “responsible for all costs associated with its construction and maintenance.”
The Mohawk Road on-ramp proposal emerged in 2011 as the preferred option among other suggested locations.
A westbound ramp from Mohawk to Highway 403 existed prior to 2001, but was eliminated when the 403 and Lincoln Alexander Parkway interchange was reconstructed.
Officials have estimated the cost of the on-ramp to be anywhere from $3 million and $6.5 million.