Work and delays continue after Hamilton 403 landslide

Crews were still working Saturday to repair the damage caused by a massive landslide Friday onto highway 403, triggered by a watermain break.

It sent caused trees, mud and water sliding onto the highway just below York Boulevard, causing gridlock and chaos on Hamilton roads.

The 403 was closed for more than 10 hours and alternate routes were jammed.

Saturday York Boulevard was still closed because of concerns the slope could collapse. City crews spent hours inspecting the hillside where the break happened.

Dan McKinnon, Director of Hamilton Water says they’re not finished yet.

“The first thing Monday morning there’s going to be activity at the base of the slope again stabilizing the base of the slope that’s likely going to require a lane closure on the 403.”

The work will take at least a week and will mean more delays for drivers on a stretch of highway that’s already busy and often bottlenecked.

Hamilton Councillor for Ward 8 said the frustrating day illustrates a bigger problem.

“We saw last night just the devastating effect it could have on travel throughout the lower city. We know the Ministry of Transportation is looking at expanding lanes on that stretch of road, we also know we need to do a better job on detouring traffic when there is a shut down that is a major corridor.”

Crews will have to bring in material to the base of the slope and build it back up after 130 tonnes of dirt was trucked out after the landslide Friday.

One lane of the Eastbound 403 will close after the morning rush hour on Monday.