Ontario Moves to Build Highways Faster with New Legislation to Combat Gridlock

TORONTO, October 17, 2024 — The Ontario government is taking bold steps to reduce gridlock and improve the flow of traffic by introducing the Building Highways Faster Act. If passed, this legislation would streamline the construction of priority highway projects, including Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, and the Garden City Skyway bridge, ensuring faster completion and less time wasted in traffic.

“Every minute wasted in traffic is a minute that could be spent with friends, family, and the people who matter most,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “Our government understands the frustration of gridlock, and the need to build highways and roads faster to keep people moving. This common-sense legislation will allow 24/7 construction on key projects, speeding up timelines to reduce congestion.”

Key Features of the Building Highways Faster Act:

• 24/7 Construction on Priority Projects: The legislation would allow around-the-clock construction for designated projects, significantly speeding up timelines.
• Streamlining Property Acquisitions: It will accelerate access to property, utility relocations, and property acquisitions necessary for highway construction.
• New Penalties: The act introduces penalties for actions that obstruct field investigations or damage construction equipment, ensuring projects stay on track.
• Environmental Assessment Acceleration: The legislation also proposes an accelerated environmental assessment process for Highway 413, allowing early works to begin without compromising environmental protections.

Tackling Gridlock in a Growing Province

Ontario is facing rapid population growth, with two million new residents expected by 2031. Without urgent action, the government warns that all 400-series highways, including Highway 407, could reach or exceed capacity within the next decade. This new legislation is designed to tackle the issue before it worsens, ensuring that the province’s infrastructure can meet the demands of a growing population.

“Ontario is experiencing unprecedented population growth,” added Minister Sarkaria. “We need to act now to increase highway capacity, or our roadways will become even more congested. This legislation is critical to getting drivers moving.”

Major Projects to Benefit from the Legislation:

• Highway 413: A key project in Ontario’s $28 billion infrastructure plan, aimed at creating a new route in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to relieve pressure on existing highways.
• Bradford Bypass: Connecting Highway 400 and Highway 404, this project will ease congestion for drivers in the northern parts of the GTA.
• Garden City Skyway Bridge Expansion: A major infrastructure project across the Welland Canal, with a new four-lane bridge and rehabilitation of the existing structure.

These projects are part of Ontario’s broader $28 billion plan to build, repair, and upgrade roads, highways, and bridges across the province.

Quick Facts:

• Toronto commuters spend an average of 98 hours annually stuck in rush-hour traffic, the longest commute times in North America.
• Gridlock on Ontario highways and roads costs the province’s economy an estimated $11 billion annually in lost productivity.
• The Building Highways Faster Act follows the Get It Done Act, 2024, which was designed to cut red tape and streamline approvals for critical infrastructure projects.
• The Ontario government is also providing $73 million to the City of Toronto to accelerate work on the Gardiner Expressway, speeding up construction by at least one year.

Ontario’s Plan to Combat Traffic Congestion

The proposed changes are set to be part of the Ontario government’s focus for the upcoming legislative session, which kicks off on October 21, 2024. The government’s commitment to tackling gridlock and ensuring that drivers spend less time in traffic and more time with their families is at the forefront of these measures.

With an ambitious infrastructure strategy, Ontario aims to get shovels in the ground sooner, complete major highway projects faster, and save taxpayer dollars by reducing delays.