Traffic on Highway 402 westbound near Sarnia has resumed after a temporary closure that began on Canada Day when Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to hazardous road conditions in Plympton-Wyoming. The affected stretch between Oil Heritage Road and Mandaumin Road was closed while emergency repairs were completed before reopening to traffic on July 3.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation said the pavement buckled during a period of extreme heat, prompting crews to carry out temporary resurfacing work to restore safe driving conditions. Officials have indicated that additional permanent repairs may still be required in the future.
What Happened on Highway 402?
According to the OPP, officers responded shortly after 4:30 p.m. on July 1 after receiving reports of unsafe pavement conditions on the westbound lanes. The damaged roadway required an immediate closure so transportation crews could inspect the surface and begin emergency repairs.
The closure affected westbound traffic only, between Oil Heritage Road and Mandaumin Road in the Municipality of Plympton-Wyoming, west of London and east of Sarnia.
Highway Has Reopened After Temporary Repairs
The OPP confirmed the westbound lanes reopened shortly before 9 a.m. on July 3 after crews completed temporary repairs. Traffic is once again moving through the area, although motorists may still encounter maintenance vehicles if additional work is scheduled.
The Ministry of Transportation has not announced a timeline for permanent repairs, so drivers should continue watching for future construction notices and temporary lane restrictions.
Extreme Heat Caused the Pavement to Buckle
The emergency closure coincided with an intense heat wave across southwestern Ontario. High temperatures caused the concrete roadway to expand, resulting in pavement buckling that made the highway unsafe for traffic.
Roadway expansion during prolonged periods of extreme heat is a known challenge for older concrete highways. Similar repairs were required in the same area during previous summers, highlighting the importance of ongoing infrastructure maintenance.
Why Highway 402 Is an Important Route
Highway 402 is one of southwestern Ontario’s busiest transportation corridors, connecting London, Lambton County and Sarnia with the Blue Water Bridge border crossing into Michigan. The highway carries commuter traffic, commercial freight and international travellers, meaning even a short closure can create delays across nearby local roads.
Because of its role in cross-border trade, transportation officials work to reopen the route as quickly as possible whenever emergency repairs are required.
Advice for Drivers
Although the highway is open again, motorists should continue exercising caution through the repaired section. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed in any active work zone, watch for maintenance crews and allow extra travel time if new lane restrictions are introduced.
Before beginning a trip, travellers can check the latest closures, incidents and construction updates through the Ontario 511 traveller information service.
For additional information about major provincial routes, see this guide to Ontario highways with 110 km/h speed limits.
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Latest Situation
As of the latest official update, westbound traffic is flowing normally following the completion of temporary repairs. Officials will continue monitoring the roadway, and any future maintenance work is expected to be announced through the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Ontario 511 travel advisory system.
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