The Thunder Bay Expressway will be significantly improved now that the province has awarded a major reconstruction contract to a Toronto company.

Carillion Ltd. is charged with taking on the work of the $20.7 million contract to make significant upgrades to the highway, which carries up to 19,000 vehicles daily.

The work is expected to take two years to complete and will include, full illumination from the Neebing River bridge to John Street, resurfacing between the Neebing River and Balsam Street, a second southbound left turn lane at the Harbour Expressway, extending the existing southbound left turn lane at Oliver Road, a second northbound left turn lane and extending the existing southbound left and right turn lanes at John Street and a second northbound left turn lane and extending a southbound left turn lane at Highway 102/Red River Road.

The project will create 150 direct and indirect construction jobs.