Highway 403 Reopens After Hours-Long Closure Due to Sensitive Situation

A significant portion of Highway 403 in Hamilton that had been closed for several hours on April 22, 2025, has now reopened. The highway was shut down in both directions from York Boulevard to Main Street West, starting around 2:15 p.m. and continuing into the evening. Authorities were responding to a person in crisis near the King Street West overpass, which prompted the closure.

What We Know So Far

The closure lasted several hours, with traffic backing up during rush hour and into the evening. By midnight, the highway and surrounding streets had been reopened after authorities resolved the situation.

The Hamilton Police and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), with assistance from the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT), worked together to address the sensitive incident. The MCRRT, which includes both police officers and mental health professionals, focused on creating a safe and controlled environment while negotiating with the individual in crisis.

Official Statements from Authorities

Police emphasized that responding to complex and sensitive situations like this “have no time limits.” According to Adam Kimber, a public information officer for Hamilton Police, the MCRRT team worked closely with trained negotiators to ensure that the situation was handled with “empathy and care.” Kimber acknowledged the frustration caused by the traffic delays but assured the public that the primary concern was the safety of everyone involved.

“The top priority was always to protect life—protecting the individual in crisis, the public, and our officers,” Kimber explained. “We understand the frustrations, but incidents like these require time to resolve safely.”

Impact on Commuters

For many, the closure created a huge traffic nightmare, especially during the evening rush hour. One resident, Scott Mills, shared his experience of being unable to pick up his child due to the massive delays. “It took me an hour and a half to get somewhere that should take 25 minutes,” Mills said. He later understood the reason for the closure after reading police updates.

Detours and Alternate Routes

Motorists were urged to avoid the 403 corridor between Main Street West and York Boulevard. Aberdeen Avenue, Cannon Street, and Burlington Street served as recommended detour routes.

While the roadways have now reopened, authorities have not provided further details about the timeline for when the highway will be fully clear of any remaining impacts.

What was your experience navigating the traffic during the highway closure? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More…

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Hamilton/comments/1k5elaf/king_street_bridge_shut_down_at_dundurn
• https://www.thespec.com/news/crime/police-closed-strip-of-highway-403-amid-person-in-crisis/article_3c8625db-8f44-568d-a3ce-2f441e2f5fc3.html
• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/403-closed-hamilton-1.7515675