Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has released its preferred route for a new 400-series highway across York, Peel and Halton regions, saying the GTA West corridor will reduce travel times for drivers and support economic growth and job creation.
“The Greater Golden Horseshoe is an economic driver for the province and addressing transportation needs in this region is essential to the competitiveness of our economy,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation.
“The GTA West Corridor will help alleviate traffic congestion and improve the movement of people and goods across the province.”
The project will include a four-to-six lane 400-series highway, separate infrastructure dedicated for transit and passenger stations, as well as “intelligent transportation features” and truck parking. By 2031, the overall traffic on this route is expected to exceed 300,000 auto vehicles trips per day.
Feedback from public consultations were considered and Mulroney says the plan – which includes the route and interchange locations for the GTA West corridor – incorporates feedback received from stakeholders and the public as well as new land use and environmental information.
Over the next two years as the design is further developed and the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the GTA West Corridor is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.
The province held public meetings in September and October 2019 to gather feedback on the draft technically preferred route.