Ford government moving ahead with controversial Hwy. 413 project
Posted November 10, 2021 12:01 pm.
Last Updated November 10, 2021 2:32 pm.
Ontario announced plans are moving forward on another controversial highway project, in the hopes of easing congestion in parts of the GTA set to grow at an “incredible speed.”
Highway 413 will connect Halton, Peel and York regions, described as the most congested corridor in North America.
“Our government is saying yes to building the roads and highways that will keep these communities moving,” Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday.
Ford also explained the highway project will not only create up to 3,500 jobs each year and generate up to $350 million in annual GDP, but will save commuters hours of gridlock every day.
According to provincial officials, the new 400-series highway is a key part of the province’s plan to build Ontario.
“In addition to reducing time on the road for drivers, including those taking goods to market, the highway will link growing regions, provide better connections to housing and jobs, and attract increased investment in auto manufacturing and other industries,” Ford said.
The new corridor will extend from Highway 400 in the east to the Highway 401/407 express toll route (ETR) in the west.
“Highway 413 will save drivers up to 30 minutes each way on their commute, adding up to one hour per day and five hours per week in people’s schedules. This relief will be the difference between sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic and having dinner with your family at home,” Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney said.
On Monday, the Ford government made a commitment to fully fund the Bradford Bypass — the 16.2-kilometer highway, which will link Hwy. 400 to Hwy. 404 in Simcoe Country and York Region.
When asked about the price tag for both the Bradford Bypass and the 413, officials said there is no estimated cost yet.
“We’re moving forward with the procurement process and in order to guarantee the best price for Ontario taxpayers we want that procurement to be as competitive as possible — and so we’re going to leave it to the market to determine what that cost is going to be,” Mulroney said.
And of course — like the Bradford Bypass — concerns are being raised about the environmental impact of the 413.
Following Ford’s announcement, Ontario Green Leader Mike Schreiner called on Ford to cancel plans for the highway and he did not mince his words.
“Let me be very clear — Doug Ford’s plans to build Highway 413 are a financial and climate disaster. It makes absolutely no sense to pave over 2000 acres of farmland, 400 acres of the Greenbelt, cross 85 waterways […] and spew 17.4 million tons of climate pollution into the atmosphere between now and 2050 to save people 30 seconds,” he said.
Schreiner added the focus should be on building livable and affordable communities that are connected.