WATERDOWN, Ontario — The Ontario government has begun construction on a new interchange at Highways 5 and 6 in Waterdown, a major transportation infrastructure project designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety and support economic growth across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
The development will replace the existing busy intersection with a grade-separated interchange, featuring a new overpass bridge, highway ramps and expanded road capacity. The improvements are expected to strengthen transportation connections between Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding communities while supporting the movement of commercial goods.
New Waterdown Interchange to Improve Traffic Flow and Road Safety
The project will involve constructing a bridge carrying Highway 5 over Highway 6, allowing vehicles to travel through the interchange more efficiently.
New on- and off-ramps will provide improved connections between the highways, while a section of Highway 5 will be widened to six lanes to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
The construction plan also includes a commuter parking lot and multi-use pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, providing additional transportation options for residents.
“Drivers in Hamilton and Burlington know how frustrating it can be to sit in traffic at Highways 5 and 6 in Waterdown,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “That is why our government is replacing this busy intersection with a new interchange that will reduce gridlock, improve safety and make life easier for the thousands of drivers who rely on this route everyday. It’s another way we’re protecting Ontario by building the infrastructure our growing communities need.”
Infrastructure Improvements to Support Growing Communities
GIP Paving Inc. has been awarded the construction contract for the interchange.
Alongside the highway improvements, the project will require new municipal roads, water mains and sanitary sewers to accommodate the redesigned transportation infrastructure.
The investment forms part of Ontario’s broader commitment of more than $31 billion over the next decade to construct, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges throughout the province.
The government says these investments are intended to strengthen regional connectivity, improve transportation safety and respond to increasing infrastructure demands.
Regional Leaders Highlight Economic and Transportation Benefits
Provincial representatives have welcomed the project, emphasizing its potential benefits for commuters, businesses and the region’s expanding population.
“Today’s announcement is about more than infrastructure. It’s about improving the daily lives of the people who live, work and travel in our community. 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. It will also enhance safety and strengthen transportation connections across the region, helping people and goods move more efficiently for years to come.”
— Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook
“Starting construction on the new Waterdown interchange is an important step toward improving traffic flow and road safety for people travelling throughout our region. This project will help reduce delays at Highways 5 and 6, improve connections for commuters and support the continued growth of our communities. By investing in transportation infrastructure, we are helping families spend less time in traffic and ensuring our roads can meet the needs of residents and local businesses for years to come.”
— Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain
Construction Industry Welcomes Highway Safety Improvements
Industry representatives also highlighted longstanding congestion and safety concerns at the intersection.
“The Highways 5 and 6 intersection has been a local bottleneck for traffic 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. This new interchange will ease congestion and remove a major safety concern at the same time. Thanks to the Ford government for finally addressing this issue.”
— Peter Smith, Executive Director, Heavy Construction Association of Toronto
Highway Investment Expected to Strengthen Regional Economic Connectivity
The interchange is expected to improve transportation connections between Hamilton, Burlington and neighbouring economic centres, including Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
“Reliable transportation infrastructure is essential to moving people and goods and supporting growing communities. The new interchange at Highways 5 and 6 is an important investment in regional connectivity that will help strengthen business growth and economic competitiveness across Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding region.”
— Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The project represents another component of Ontario’s long-term highway infrastructure strategy, aimed at accommodating population growth, reducing transportation bottlenecks and supporting commercial activity.
While the province has confirmed that construction is underway, the announcement did not specify the project’s total contract value or anticipated completion date.
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