Work on the CN$23m Howard Avenue/Canadian Pacific grade separation project in Ontario Canada has begun.

The project, jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Ontario, focuses on reducing congestion and improving traffic operations.

Project leader Coco Paving has begun the installation of water mains, and demolition and construction of detour routes for road and rail traffic.

Member of Parliament for Essex Jeff Watson said that the new grade separation will improve local traffic operations, and will also compliment the new border crossing and the overall gateways strategy.

During construction, a detour route west of Howard Avenue between Eugenie Street and the Essex Terminal Railway will keep the roadway open and traffic moving.

The work on the bridge and the roadway underpass will take about 16 months, while the improvements including Memorial Drive will be completed by July 2011.