Province Considering Tunnel Under 401

Wednesday, 25 September 2024 09:26

The province has launched a feasibility plan for an expressway under the highway in the GTHA.

GTHA - A transit tunnel expressway could be built under Highway 401 in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

During a press conference this morning, Premier Doug Ford announced that a feasibility plan is underway.

"Ontario's gridlock problem is leaving the average Toronto-area commuter stuck in traffic for 98 hours every year, taking up precious time that would be better spent with family, friends and loved ones and is costing our economy $11 billion every year in the GTHA alone. Today's announcement is the latest step in our nearly $100 billion plan to tackle this gridlock by building and expanding highways and transit, including Highway 401, the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413, so we can get people and goods moving across Ontario once more.”

The tunnel would extend from beyond Brampton and Mississauga in the west, to beyond Markham and Scarborough in the east. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) would secure the engineering services for this project, which would not become a toll route once it's completed.

The province says a lot of work will be put into this feasibility plan including the following:

- Reviewing several options for increasing the capacity limits for Highway 401 capacity. This includes potential routes within the existing right-of-way, the number of lanes, the length, and the number and design of interchanges connecting to other highways.

- Examining the economic contributions of the proposed tunnel expressway in the short and long term, in addition to its impact on gridlock.

- Review how other jurisdictions have tackled projects similar to the proposed tunnel expressway.

- Conduct soil testing in the area so crews have a better understanding of the local geology and how this could impact the construction and design.

- Start the environmental assessment process.

- Conduct initial market sounding and review feedback for potential procurement and commercial structuring strategies.

- Consult with First Nations communities about the proposed project.

According to the MTO, the travel time on the main stretch of Highway 401 will double by 2051 if nothing is done to address it. This means the travel time through the GTHA would take 90 minutes longer than it already is.

The MTO also says all of the 400-series highways, including Highway 407, will exceed capacity within the next decade.