Commuters look for routes around Skyway

(Update)

If you’re heading to Toronto from the Niagara region this evening, there are a number of alternate routes to consider. All of the alternate routes the city is recommending are busy. In fact, traffic has been building all day on the major arteries such as the Linc and Red Hill Expressway, but if you must head out tonight, the city has identified three routes that will allow you to travel across Hamilton and back onto the 403 Toronto bound.

The primary route for the detour is Eastport Drive. Take that exit off the QEW. You will then drive under the Skyway bridge and over the lift bridge to the other side of the QEW.

The secondary route, exit off the QEW onto the Red Hill Valley Parkway. It will eventually turn into the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. Stay on the Linc until you see the 403 Toronto which will take you back to the QEW.

The third route is Burlington Street. To Wellington Street, left on Cannon to York and the 403 exit ramp.

The final route is the highway 8 exit off the QEW to King Street through Hamilton to the 403.

David Ferguson is the Superintendent of Traffic Operation for the City of Hamilton: “Until we know for sure from the ministry how long this closure will be in place, people should expect long delays on the routes. As I said before, we are going to try to implement some timing changes to provide longer green cycles for those travelling west in the city but it is still going to be congested for people trying to find their way around.”

It’s important to note that despite the closure of a major bridge in the busiest part of the country, we have had very little communication with government officials. I requested an interview with the mayor and was told to speak to city staff which I did. The police have not issued a statement. And it was almost a full day after the bridge was closed before the Ministry of Transportation held a conference call to update the media. In terms of an emergency response plan, this is what we were handed by the city — a very basic map with marker highlighting alternate routes.

However if you are coming home from cottage country or on your way to work on Tuesday, you can count on us with live traffic updates beginning at four am.