The Queen Elizabeth Way will be widened toward Niagara Falls.

The provincial and federal governments will jointly fund a $27-million highway overhaul to begin this month in the Niagara region.

The project will see the QEW widened from four to six lanes from Glendale Avenue in St. Catharines to Mountain Road in Niagara Falls.

Construction will also include work on a CN Rail structure, ramp modifications and the resurfacing of the Mountain Road interchange.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Allan Rock says the changes will reduce traffic congestion and improve travel for businesses who rely on the highway as the major trade corridor for Canada-U.S. border crossings.

The federal contribution of more than $13 million will come from its Border Infrastructure Fund, while Ontario's more than $13 million will come from its SuperBuild initiative.