Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned that his government is exploring options to reduce highway congestion in the Durham region as more commuters begin using Highways 407 East, 412, 418, and connecting to Highway 401.
At a news conference held in Pickering on Thursday focused on skills development and trades, Ford noted that he has been discussing traffic concerns with Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and other MPPs from the Durham area.
“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 not clear how much study has gone into the proposal or if any funds have been set aside.
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 considering improvements for 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 observed-especially during peak weekday hours. Highway 407 East opened in 2019 as an alternative route alongside Highway 401. Both Highways 418 and 412 opened in recent years as well.
Tolls were removed from Highways 412 and 418 by Ford’s government back in 2018. Earlier this year, tolls were also eliminated from Ontario’s section of Highway 407 East.
Ontario Liberal MPP Rob Cerjanec represents Ajax and noted that transportation issues are what his office hears about most often. He mentioned that since Highway 407 East became toll-free, there’s been “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 to identify effective solutions which could involve adding more lanes.
“We hear things like ‘Let’s build a tunnel under the 401,’ random ideas are starting to come up that seem ridiculous,” 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.”
In addition, Cerjanec indicated that it’s crucial for Ford’s government to bring express GO Transit Lakeshore East trains back into Durham region soon.
“They won’t provide a timeline. It was supposed to be ready by summer of next year; last summer it was expected back already-it’s not happening-so I know people who drive instead of taking GO train because of this,” he stated while noting no timelines have been shared regarding electrifying GO Transit trains (which operate quicker) either.
“The most effective way to help with traffic is by making transit reliable, affordable and frequent.”
Metrolinx had previously halted GO Transit Lakeshore East express trains due to construction related activities linked with future developments like Ontario Line and East Harbour Transit Hub.
City News reached out again Thursday afternoon seeking an update about express train service status. A statement from Metrolinx media relations noted that one track had temporarily gone out-of-service for safety reasons during construction but did not specify when service would resume.
“This third track is necessary for express trains to pass all-stop trains; therefore its removal means Lakeshore East express trains can’t run right now. In response we’ve restored every fifteen-minute service during weekday rush hours on Lakeshore East line,” stated their message.
“We understand how essential express service is for our customers; thus we’re continually striving towards balancing current impacts while ensuring future growth through expanded connections.”Keep it Factual Add City News Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.
Source link
“We understand how essential express service is for our customers; thus we’re continually striving towards balancing current impacts while ensuring future growth through expanded connections.”Keep it Factual Add City News Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.
Source link
