407 ETR opens new lanes northeast of T.O.

TORONTO — The company that owns Ontario’s private highway north of Toronto says truckers and commuters should expect faster trips and less congestion as 407 ETR officially opened another four kilometres of new lanes between Markham and McCowan Roads.

This expansion is in addition to the $90 million project that added 50 kilometres of new lanes between Highways 427 and 404, which opened in October.

“More lanes mean faster trips for our customers,” said Antonio de Santiago, president and CEO of 407 ETR. “Not only will the additional lanes increase safety and traffic flow, but it benefits the region’s economy by improving productivity.

The Markham to McCowan project was originally scheduled to commence in 2008.

By adding the additional lane in each direction, traffic capacity will increase over 50 per cent and increase safety on this busy section of the highway, the company says.

Over the next year, 407 ETR will continue to widen the highway further west — another 50 lane kilometres between Highways 427 and 401 in Milton. This project is already well underway and is scheduled to be completed by October 2007.