Preliminary work for a long-awaited Flamborough, Ont. interchange project is in its final phases with construction expected to start in the coming months.
The undertaking includes a new interchange at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 6 and associated municipal roads as well as a new commuter parking lot in the vicinity. The reason for the improvements along the provincial corridor are to improve safety, enhance traffic flow and connectivity and accommodate future traffic demands.
The project extends along Highway 6 from 4th Concession West southwards to the Highway 6 and Highway 403 Interchange, and along Highway 5/Dundas Street from west of Highway 6 (Coreslab Drive) to east of Highway 6 (Clappison Avenue).
“My understanding is that the design work is complete; that the actual work may start as early as late summer of 2026; and that the work will be done in phases over two years,” said City of Hamilton Ward 15 Coun. Ted McMeekin.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation confirms early works, including utility relocations and building demolitions, are currently underway.
The massive project has been in discussion for decades, with McMeekin saying over the years, the intersection has been perceived as dangerous, thus necessitating the work to enhance community safety.
Upon completion, Highway 5 will cross over Highway 6 on a new bridge at Clappison’s Corners with an overpass and partial cloverleaf of looping ramps.
There will also be cloverleaf ramps for Highway 5 east and westbound traffic to access the north and southbound lanes of Highway 6, ramps connecting both highways and new road links to the plaza on the southwest corner of the intersection and Harry Howell Twin Pad Arena – the training facility for Hamilton’s new AHL team. The design also includes multi-use pathways and on-road bicycle lanes.
As well as the current designs, there are also provisions for a future widening of Highway 6 to six lanes and Highway 5 to three eastbound lanes. A new parking lot with over 100 spaces will also be built in the northeast quadrant to support a future GO transit hub and bus depot.
To date, the detail design and class environmental assessment study has been completed by Arcadis, who were retained by MTO. The reports were first submitted in 2003 with an update made in 2013.
According to the MTO Design and Construction report, “Utility relocations will be carried out in advance of the interchange and municipal road construction to minimize disruption and ensure co-ordination among stakeholders. This project includes installation of underground ducts for Alectra, and relocation of municipal water and sanitary infrastructure, along with construction and re-construction of new and existing municipal roads in the vicinity of the new interchange.”
McMeekin called Flamborough “the fastest growing (community) in the city of Hamilton,” adding there are other projects in the area that might affect the timeline, detours and travel pattern changes.
“Several current major projects (Waterdown Road widening, Dundas Street Bridge work and a two-month road closure between Clappison Street and west to Highway 6 to install water and sewer service intro the new and currently being built $60 million Police/Fire Compound),” he explained.
The project has a reported total cost estimate of over $1 billion, which includes the costs of expropriations and related expenses.
However, MTO senior media relations adviser, Meaghan Evans said, “To protect the integrity of the competitive bidding process, cost estimates will not be shared at this time,” adding the project schedule will be finalized after construction begins.
