Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned that his government is exploring options to reduce highway congestion in the Durham region as more commuters are using Highways 407 East, 412, 418, and connecting to Highway 401.
During a press event in Pickering on Thursday focused on skills development and trades, Ford shared that he’s been discussing traffic concerns with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and other MPPs from Durham.
“So people are coming home from the cottage, it’s getting pretty jammed up on there, but if it’s jammed up there I always say it must be taking congestion off another part, I guess the 401,” he said.
“I think in the long-term, we might have to look at-we’ll work with the minister of transportation and obviously the person that controls the money, Minister Bethlenfalvy, to see if we can maybe add lanes on either side.
“We’re looking at a plan to lighten up the traffic.”
It’s unclear how much research has gone into this idea or if any funding has been allocated.
City News reached out to representatives for Bethlenfalvy and Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. A spokesperson for Sarkaria replied Thursday evening, stating that the ministry is keeping an eye on highway operations and that they are actively assessing Durham region.
“While long-term plans include widening Highway 401, the ministry is also conducting a detailed traffic study in the area of the Highway 401 and Highway 412 connection to determine if there are any potential interim solutions to improve traffic operations prior to the proposed express-collector expansion,” Dakota Brasier wrote in an email.
As Highway 401 traffic lanes narrow near Highway 412 on- and off-ramps, backups have been noticeable – especially during peak weekday hours. Highway 407 East opened for use in 2019, offering an alternative route to Highway 401. Both Highways 418 and 412 opened in 2019 and 2016 respectively.
Tolls were eliminated from Highways 412 and 418 by Ford’s government back in 2018. Earlier this year in March, tolls were also removed from Ontario’s section of Highway 407 East.
Ontario Liberal MPP Rob Cerjanec represents Ajax and stated that transportation issues are what his office hears about most frequently. He mentioned that now since Highway 407 East is toll-free, there seems to be “a little less” traffic on Highway 401 in parts of Durham region.
“But I know around Lake Ridge Road and [Highway] 412 is always a pain point and a pressure point, so I’m definitely open to seeing what they would like to propose and how we make the transportation system work,” Cerjanec told City News Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve got to make the road network work well for everyone.”
Cerjanec expressed his desire for a formal transportation study that would pinpoint effective solutions which could include adding more lanes.
“We hear things like ‘Let’s build a tunnel under the 401,’ random ideas are starting to be thrown out and it’s starting to get into ridiculous territory,” he said.
“Instead of focusing on fantasy projects like a tunnel under the 401, you’ve got to make the current transportation system better and expand public transit ASAP so that we can actually encourage people when it makes sense to get out of their cars.”
Cerjanec also pointed out that it’s crucial for Ford’s government to push forward with bringing back express GO Transit Lakeshore East trains into Durham region.
“They won’t provide a timeline. It was supposed to be in place summer of next year; so last year it was expected back but it’s not happening yet. I know people who are driving instead of taking GO trains because of this,” he noted while adding that timelines for electrifying GO Transit trains (which run faster) haven’t been disclosed either.
“The most effective way to help ease traffic is by encouraging people out of their cars through reliable public transit that’s affordable and frequent.”
Metrolinx previously halted GO Transit Lakeshore East express trains due to construction related work for future projects including Ontario Line expansion plans as well as East Harbour Transit Hub developments.
A request for an update regarding express train services was made by City News Thursday afternoon. A statement issued by Metrolinx’s media relations office indicated that one track needed removal for safety reasons which affects current service efficiency but did not specify when operations will resume normally.
“This third track is necessary for express trains passing all-stop services; hence its removal means Lakeshore East express service is temporarily suspended. Meanwhile we’ve restored every fifteen-minute service during weekday rush hours along Lakeshore East line,” said their statement.
“We appreciate how vital express services remain among our customers while balancing ongoing disruptions due construction endeavors enabling upcoming service improvements plus new transport connections.”
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“We appreciate how vital express services remain among our customers while balancing ongoing disruptions due construction endeavors enabling upcoming service improvements plus new transport connections.”
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