Ontario is making significant progress towards the construction of Highway 413 with the announcement of a procurement notice for designing and building the eastern portion of the highway and extending Hwy. 427. Additionally, a construction-management contract has been awarded for the extension of Hwy. 410.
Described as one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the region, this move signifies a push towards advancing a project that Premier Doug Ford has emphasized as crucial in alleviating traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The procurement notice pertains to the segment of Hwy. 413 stretching from Hwy. 400 to west of The Gore Road, constituting approximately one-third of the total corridor. A formal request for proposals (RFP) will be released later this autumn, detailing specific design and construction criteria.
The same RFP will encompass the Hwy. 427 Extension, which will run from Major Mackenzie Drive north to Hwy. 413.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria emphasized the province’s commitment to ramping up construction efforts amidst ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., asserting that Hwy. 413 will not only reduce travel times but also create thousands of jobs and bolster Ontario’s economy.
Sarkaria stated, “Highway 413 will improve travel times throughout the GTA, generating over 6,000 jobs annually during construction and contributing over $1 billion to Ontario’s GDP.”
Designed to feature 11 interchanges across the GTA and accommodate up to 300,000 vehicles daily, Hwy. 413 has the potential to reduce travel times by up to 30 minutes per trip, thereby relieving congestion on existing 400-series highways in Toronto, Halton, Peel, and York Region.
Part of Ontario’s broader $31-billion investment in roadway infrastructure, which includes projects like the Bradford Bypass and the Garden City Skyway twin bridge, Hwy. 413 aims to enhance connectivity in the region.
A contract has been awarded for a construction manager overseeing the central section of Hwy. 413, which includes the 9.1-kilometre Hwy. 410 Extension. This extension will link motorists to Hwy. 407 ETR, Hwy. 401, and Hwy. 403, enhancing accessibility to Burlington, Hamilton, Brantford, and Woodstock.
Hwy. 413 has been a topic of contention, facing environmental assessments, political opposition, and jurisdictional disputes. While construction was initially slated to commence as early as 2025, the final cost and completion timeline have not been disclosed by the province.
After resolving conflicts and reaching an agreement with the federal government in 2024, Ontario has progressed with design contracts, land preparation, and preliminary construction planning, with the RFP for the eastern portion set to be issued later this fall and contracts expected to be awarded by 2027.
