Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is the province extending Highway 407 East to Highway 35/115?
A: Extending Highway 407 East to Highway 35/115 will help build strong communities and a transportation network that will strengthen Ontario's economy. It provides an important link for communities located in the eastern Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
Q2: How will it help the economy?
A: It will create opportunities for business, employment and population growth. More than 13,000 jobs will be created in the first phase alone.
Q3: Who will own the highway?
A: The Province of Ontario will own and control Highway 407 East. The government will also regulate and collect the tolls and ensure customer service objectives are met. Highway 407 East is a significant public asset that will increase in value over time and produce annual revenue for the Province.
It will also relieve congested sections of Highway 401— Canada's busiest highway — and improve the movement of goods and services across Ontario. This is very important in the Ontario-Quebec corridor, which handles more than 74 per cent of Canada's international trade. That corridor contributed $560 billion to Canada's economy in 2007.
Q4: How much will it cost to build?
A: The contract with the successful consortium, including contract cost, will be released publicly on Infrastructure Ontario's website, when available.
Infrastructure Ontario is working with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to select a company to design, build, finance and maintain Highway 407 East, and ensure that it is built on time and on budget.
Q5: When will construction begin?
A: MTO is moving this project forward as quickly as possible. Advance works are underway including the construction of an overpass on Highway 7 in Whitby. In addition, design work is underway related to the relocation of key utilities and a railway, as well as property acquisition along the entire corridor.
The target is to open the first phase (Brock Road to Harmony Road and the West Durham Link) in late 2015. The section from Harmony Road to Taunton Road at the East Durham Link will be open by 2017. The remainder of Highway 407 East from Taunton Road to Highway 35/115 and the East Durham Link will be open in 2020.
A more detailed construction timetable will be set as the project moves forward.
Q6: Who will be responsible for designing/building/financing/maintaining Phase 1 of Highway 407 East?
A: On March 22, 2012, the 407 East Development Group was selected as the preferred bidder to design, build, finance and maintain Phase 1 of the new Highway 407 East project. For further information, please visit Infrastructure Ontario’s website.
Q7: How will the Highway 407 East connect to Highway 401?
A. There will be two links connecting Highway 407 East to Highway 401. By 2015 there will be a 4 lane, north-south highway connecting Highway 407 East and Highway 401 in Whitby. This link is located just east of Lake Ridge Road and serves as a full freeway connection. East of Oshawa, there will also be a similar link from Highway 407 East to Highway 401, in Clarington, near Courtice Road.
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