Phase 1 of the project is near completion, and drivers could begin using a new interchange north of Lasalle Boulevard on Notre Dame Avenue as early as January, weather permitting.
"We're hoping to get this section open in early December of this year," said roads director David Shelsted, at a Friday news conference at the construction site.
Mayor Brian Bigger said he was impressed by how much progress has been made so far on the project, which is slated for completion in 2019.
"We've moved forward so quickly, after 30 years" Bigger said. "It will connect our community in new and more efficient ways. It will improve our traffic flows, it will lead to improved quality of life for our residents."
He said the first phase of Maley Drive alone will save motorists more than 457,000 hours and as much as 1.13 million litres of gas each year.
More than three decades in the making, progress so far on building the $80 million Maley Drive extension has been quick, reporters were told Friday.
"When completed, this extension will remove an estimated 3,000 vehicles a day from Lasalle Boulevard, and up to 10,000 per day from Lasalle Boulevard east of Notre Dame Avenue," Bigger said.
Another 2,000-4,000 vehicles will be taken off The Kingsway, and 43 per cent of Sudbury Transit bus routes will see less traffic congestion, he said.
"We've got two more years of construction and we'll be driving on the brand new Maley Drive."
Sudbury MPP and Ontario Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault said the extension will improve safety and quality of life for residents.
"And there are 800 jobs being created by this project," Thibeault said. "The impact this project alone, with the 800 jobs, is $90 million in our overall economy.
This is fantastic news. It's great to see the progress happening."
Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said Maley is an example of what can happen when all three levels of government work together.
"This is a partnership between the municipality, which had the vision, the province, which has help with funding, and the feds," Lefebvre. "The Prime Minister of Canada was here in April 2016 to make the important $26 million announcement for the funding here.
"Billions of dollars are being invested in infrastructure. It's creating jobs, but also helping traffic, transportation and helping families to get faster to work and faster back home."
For more information on the project, go here.
