Hwy 406 through St. Catharines to be shut down this weekend

[projekktor id=’21806′]

For those taking highway 406 through St. Catharines this weekend you might want to leave a little earlier. Beginning at 10 Friday night the 406 will be shut down in both directions until monday morning for the demolition of the Burgoyne Bridge. Police are preparing for traffic to be snarled along the detour routes.

The signs have been flashing warnings for days. Starting tonight at 10 highway 406 will be closed from Fourth Avenue to Westchester in St. Catharines through the weekend and will reopen at 6am on Monday.

On average, 11 hundred cars travel in both directions on the 406 through St. Catharines every hour. This weekend they will be forced off the 406 and onto the detour routes along Ontario Street and Fourth Avenue.

All of this to complete the final phase of the demolition of the old Burgoyne Bridge.

Police expect traffic to be snarled in and out of St. Catharines Saturday evening. When 5,000 fans pack the Meridian Centre to see the Niagara Ice Dogs play the Peterborough Petes.

Tonight Blue Rodeo is playing the Meridian Centre. When fans leave, the highway will be closed, police will be stationed at every intersection along the detour route to keep traffic moving.

The OPP say if at any point this weekend traffic is backed up with cars trying to exit at Fourth Avenue, they will close the access to highway 406 right at the QEW.