Ontario Widening Highway 401 in Mississauga
Project Part of $2.1 Billion in Road and Bridge Construction Across Ontario
NEWS April 15, 2016
Ontario is widening the four-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 from Hurontario Street to the Credit River in Mississauga from six to 12 lanes. One of more than 230 highway construction projects starting this year, the 401 expansion will improve traffic flow and support 800 construction jobs.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Mississauga today with Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca to announce the start of construction on the $81-million project. This stretch of the 401, which is targeted for completion by fall 2019, will have 10 general purpose lanes and two High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.
Ontario is investing more than $2.1 billion in road and bridge construction projects this year, creating or sustaining more than 21,000 jobs.
Widening Highway 401 is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years. This investment is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, Ontario announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
Investing in infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
QUOTES
“To build Ontario up, transportation infrastructure is critical. Families and businesses rely on highways like the 401 every day. By expanding and improving our highway network — including the 401 widening in Mississauga — we are helping to grow our economy and create jobs and new opportunities all across our province.”
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
“Adding six lanes on this stretch of Highway 401 will help improve traffic flow for residents and businesses. This project, and many other construction projects this summer, is further proof of our government’s commitment to provide accessible, modern transit infrastructure that will reduce commute times, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Ontarians.”
— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
“For Ontario to remain a world-class jurisdiction, it requires world-class infrastructure. Widening Highway 401 will reduce commute times and improve the flow of goods, and will also boost productivity and attract new businesses to the region. This is another example of our government’s long-term commitment to rebuild and revitalize infrastructure across the province.”
— Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
QUICK FACTS
Since 2013, the Province has invested more than $30 billion in public infrastructure.
Ontario’s real GDP increased 0.8% (3.1% annualized) in 2015 Q4. The province’s real GDP increased 2.6% in 2015, following a 2.7% rise in 2014.
Ontario has 16,900 kilometres of highway and 2,800 bridges.
A recent report by the Broadbent Institute and the Centre for Spatial Economics found that, on average, investing $1 in public infrastructure in Canada raises GDP by $1.43 in the short term and up to $3.83 in the long term.
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Gurvinder Singh 4/15/2016 |
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