Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has officially completed the roadway widening projects on Highways 400 and 404, with new lanes designed to reduce gridlock and enhance traffic flow across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
On Highway 404, 11 kilometres have been widened from Highway 407 to Stouffville Road. The upgrade includes the addition of a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction, allowing cars, taxis, motorcycles, and other qualifying vehicles to bypass congestion.
Meanwhile, Highway 400 saw the addition of a general-purpose lane in each direction over a stretch of nine kilometres from Major Mackenzie Drive to King Road.
The widening of Highway 404 between Highway 407 and Major Mackenzie Drive was carried out by Dufferin Construction Company, while Brennan Paving and Construction Ltd. handled the stretch from Major Mackenzie Drive to Stouffville Road. On Highway 400, Green Infrastructure Partners widened the stretch from Major Mackenzie Drive to King Road.
“Gridlock is not just an inconvenience; it’s a massive drain on our economy and personal time. Expanding Highways 400 and 404 will give drivers much-needed relief, allowing them to spend less time in traffic and more with their loved ones,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, minister of transportation.
The Ontario government is investing nearly $28 billion over the next decade for the repair, expansion, and construction of roads, highways, and bridges across the province. Upcoming projects include the Bradford Bypass, Highway 413, and the Garden City Skyway bridge-twinning project.
“We can either wait as our highways near capacity, or we can act. We’ve already made significant progress, widening a key bottleneck stretch in record time,” said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan. “Our work will continue, improving travel through King Township and helping families save time and money.”
