$3.4B in Ontario highway funding to widen 401 corridor

TORONTO — A five-year $3.4 billion highway construction program for Ontario, has been announced by Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield.

Over the next 25 years, an estimated additional two million vehicles will be on our roads, says the ministry. To combat the effects of that sprawl, the province is committing over $3 billion to highway and bridge repairs and extensions. It cash will also help ensure the $1.2 trillion worth of goods carried on Ontario highways every year get to market on time, says MTO.

Key construction projects in the five-year program include:

Widening Highway 401 in the key economic corridor from Woodstock to Cambridge to improve traffic flow; planning for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the QEW from Oakville to Burlington (pending environmental approval) and along Highway 417 from Highway 416 to Palladium Dr. in Ottawa; widening Hwy 7 between Hwy 417 and Carleton Place.