Construction of Highway 413 in Ontario to Commence in 2025
Construction of Highway 413 is set to begin in 2025 in Ontario, as announced by Premier Doug Ford. The province is currently assessing the soil composition and bedrock depth of the ground and plans to hold a “market sounding event” in May with experts to expedite the construction process.
Land acquisitions are expected to commence in the fall, with construction starting next year. Premier Doug Ford emphasized that the highway will facilitate economic growth, create job opportunities, and enhance convenience for drivers in the GTA and across Ontario.
Highway 413 will stretch from Highway 400 in the east to the Highway 401/407 express toll route interchange area in the west, featuring four to six lanes. It will connect the regions of York, Peel, and Halton, including extensions to Highway 410 and Highway 427, totaling 59 kilometres with 11 interchanges at municipal roads. The design may include electric charging stations, service centres, carpool lots, and truck inspection stations.
A transitway alongside the highway exclusively for public transit such as buses or light rail transit is also part of the project. The total cost of the project is yet to be disclosed, with the provincial budget allocating $28 billion to highways over a 10-year period.
Project Concerns
The Highway 413 project faced delays due to federally issued impact assessments, which required approval from the federal government regarding the protection of at-risk species before construction could begin. However, an agreement between the Ford and Trudeau governments led to the designation of the project under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) being set aside, with the establishment of a joint working group to address environmental impacts.
Despite the progress, some environmental groups have expressed concerns about potential urban sprawl, disintegration of Greenbelt areas, loss of farmland, and threats to at-risk species. The agreement aims to balance environmental protection while advancing infrastructure development.
