$616M Highway 427 expansion is now open to the public
The expansion of a high-traffic highway north of Toronto opened to the public on Saturday and could save commuters up to 25 minutes in travel time during peak periods.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation says the 10-kilometre expansion of Highway 427 from Finch Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on the route.
“I am pleased to announce the new and widened sections of Highway 427 will be open to the public on September 18,” Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney said in a news release issued Thursday. “As part of our vision for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, our government is investing in highway infrastructure to address congestion and keep up with the growing needs of Ontarians.”
The $616 million project was commissioned in 2015 and shovels were in the ground from 2018 to 2021. The expansion sat vacant for a period of time after the consortium building the highway sued the provincial government for not getting paid fairly.
At least 6.6 kilometres of the extension includes eight new lanes from Highway 7 to Rutherford Road and six new lanes to Major Mackenzie, the government said. The expansion means that commuters can save up to 25 minutes in total travel time for a two-way trip during rush hour compared to existing parallel roadways.
A section of four kilometres on the expansion have been widened from Finch Avenue to Highway 7, which includes an upgraded interchange.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes will be featured in each direction of Highway 427 to further help improve traffic flow, the ministry said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.