At dawn Monday, commuters and other area residents heading to Toronto enjoyed clear sailing, at least until they encountered the normal rush-hour gridlocks between Brampton and Toronto.

Work on three construction projects on Highway 10 between Orangeville and Brampton having been completed last week to the point where normal speed limits were restored, commuters got a big bonus Monday with the opening of Highway 410 to its new junction with Highway 10 immediately south of Caledon's Valleywood subdivision.

Will Mackenzie, communications officer for the Ministry of Transportation's Central Region, said 410 was opened to the new junction at 7 a.m. Monday after being closed all weekend north of Bovaird Drive.

"Highway 410 was closed for the weekend mainly for construction of the tie-in from the existing Highway 410 (between Countryside Drive and Mayfield Road) to the new section starting from Mayfield. This had to be done immediately prior to opening of the highway as it involved reconstruction of existing signage, pavement markings, etc."

He said the new, fourlane section of 410 "works well," but the novel operation at the new junction with 10 "requires attention and adjustments from motorists.

"It should be noted that the interchange design is not a conventional 'cloverleaf' due to the unique requirements at this location," he explained. "The interchange encompasses ramps and intersections of various movements to/from Highway 410, Hurontario Street, Valleywood Blvd., and a service road for the Christian School."

He said Ministry staff "are reviewing and working on further enhancements to signage to ensure drivers have more advanced notice and a better understanding of the lane configuration through the interchange. Commuters will have to change their previous travel pattern and expectations in driving through this area."

With the final section of Highway 410 now open, the last stage of construction in the immediate area is to begin.

"It includes completion of the tie-in area on Hurontario Street, as well as completion of services and construction of the service road," Mr. Mackenzie said, adding that specific timing of the contract's completion "has not yet been determined and is somewhat weatherdependent."

As a result of the various construction projects, travellers now have at least four lanes on the 10/410 combination south of Camilla.

There has been no word as yet from the ministry as to when Highway 10 is to be widened between Camilla and Primrose, where it currently is only two lanes without even left-turn lanes at 20, 25 and 30 Sideroads.