Roads: GTA West Corridor—Highway 413

[nfitz]

This jives with the Paikin article today suggesting that Ford may pull the trigger early on an Ontario election to get ahead of the 2025 federal election.

A year early and we'll ahead in the polls?

The last majority government to pull that one got unexpectedly booted.

 

[innsertnamehere]

If any construction work does start soon, it’ll be something small. The province is nowhere close to major construction on this, with land purchases, etc still needing to happen.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they “start construction” like they have on the Bradford Bypass, by starting on one overpass or something. Perhaps it’ll be the Humber River bridge, which is probably the largest and most complex component of the project. We’ll see.

 

[turini2]

If any construction work does start soon, it’ll be something small. The province is nowhere close to major construction on this, with land purchases, etc still needing to happen.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they “start construction” like they have on the Bradford Bypass, by starting on one overpass or something. Perhaps it’ll be the Humber River bridge, which is probably the largest and most complex component of the project. We’ll see.

Yeah that's quite a substantial bridge - and one that could get even longer if it means bridge piers are better placed...

 

[innsertnamehere]

Ford government says Highway 413 construction could begin next year

Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives say construction on their promised Highway 413 could begin as early as 2025 after a landmark environmental deal with Ottawa.

www.thestar.com

Ford government says Highway 413 construction could begin next year​

Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives say construction on their promised Highway 413 could begin as early as 2025 after a landmark environmental deal with Ottawa.
“I’m hoping to get shovels in the ground within the next year,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria told reporters at Queen’s Park on Tuesday.
His comments came the morning after a major impasse to the planned 52-kilometre freeway from Highway 401 in Milton to Highway 400 in Vaughan was cleared.


On Monday, the federal and provincial governments struck a joint working group to “recommend appropriate measures to minimize environmental impacts” of the highway.
“We’ve come to a conclusion with our federal partners on this to ensure — from an environmental perspective through that working group — that all issues are being addressed, but we’re very excited to now move forward and have that certainty to be able to build this highway,” said Sarkaria.

I suspect this will be Bradford Bypassesque with one overpass starting to "show progress". The main construction contract is likely still years away at best.

 

[Mihairokov]

A year early and we'll ahead in the polls?

The last majority government to pull that one got unexpectedly booted.

I agree with you. The logic seems to be that they're spooked about the CPC winning in Fall '25 and then Ontario flipping opposite of the feds as they always do in 2026. So run an election in Spring '25 ahead of the Fed election to prevent that from happening. Seems unlikely but not the craziest thing in the world. Starting work on this project prior to a provincial election in 2025 would be a signifier of getting things done, or some such.

 

[nfitz]

I agree with you. The logic seems to be that they're spooked about the CPC winning in Fall '25 and then Ontario flipping opposite of the feds as they always do in 2026. So run an election in Spring '25 ahead of the Fed election to prevent that from happening. Seems unlikely but not the craziest thing in the world. Starting work on this project prior to a provincial election in 2025 would be a signifier of getting things done, or some such.

I just don't think they'd go to the polls that early - and that it's not a factor. Spring 2026 maybe.

 

[Allandale25]

Article in the Globe.

Brampton builders left waiting as Highway 413 project disrupts local zoning

Michael Lewis

Special to The Globe and Mail

Published 9 hours ago


A rendering of the proposed boulevard design of the Heritage Heights development in Brampton. Supplied

Ontario’s plan to build a four-to-six-lane highway through northwest Brampton has curbed ambitions for a sustainable community in the area, the city’s final frontier of undeveloped greenfield – and is keeping builders on the sidelines in the process.

“We’re at the mercy of the province,” says Martin Medeiros, a regional councillor, former chair of Brampton’s planning committee and long-time champion of the Heritage Heights Secondary Plan that was first proposed in early 2009.

“This was a plan that everyone came together on, a really different vision for the province to consider.”

It would see a high-density housing and mixed-use commercial development, integrated with parks and trails along a grand boulevard accessible to cyclists, pedestrians and transit users over the 3,500-acre site.

Progress on the project has stalled because of factors including a moratorium to protect shale resources that has since been lifted and an interim control bylaw to hold lands for the planned transportation corridor.

Brampton’s proposal for Heritage Heights, which makes up one-16th of the city’s total land area, has also been targeted in 30 separate appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal, mostly over site-specific land-use and infrastructure issues.

The tribunal says it has scheduled mediation hearings from July 15 to Aug. 9 that could flesh out how development might proceed in areas not directly affected by the proposed highway.

The project can move forward without a full environmental assessment after the Supreme Court of Canada in an October, 2023, opinion said the Impact Assessment Act used to allow federal review of major projects infringes on provincial authority and is partially unconstitutional.

When these developers bought land decades ago nobody anticipated being held up because of a major freeze for a highway.

The provincial Highway 413 website says the boulevard design of the Heritage Heights plan is incompatible with the Highway 413 transportation corridor.

“The Heritage Heights boulevard would have to operate at much lower speeds. … The boulevard would also require stoplights at intersections to connect to the pedestrian-focused community design. This conflicts with the high-speed operations and controlled access design of the Highway 413 corridor,” it states.

According to the city’s website, the highway “will limit east-west connectivity within the community and severely impede its ability to become a vibrant and complete community and promote unwanted suburban sprawl. Key issues beyond the control of the city have delayed secondary planning, notably the GTA West Corridor.”

That 10-year highway project, with an estimated price tag of $8-billion to $10-billion, would include a 400 series highway designed for cars and trucks only.

The 59-kilometre Highway 413 would extend from Highway 400 in Vaughan to the interchange of highways 401 and 407 near the boundary of the districts of Peel and Halton, passing through the corner of Brampton where the Heritage Heights development is envisioned.

The PC government’s highway strategy and its opposition to Brampton’s Heritage Heights Official Plan zoning amendment have frozen development across portions of a vast parcel of urban land, says Mike Czestochowski, vice-chair of the land services group at commercial real estate investment firm CBRE Canada.

Areas in the southeastern section of Heritage Heights have been serviced by the municipality for some time and major landowners in the area, who are assuming the province will exercise its authority and build a highway, “are anxious to get at it,” he says.

“When these developers bought land decades ago nobody anticipated being held up because of a major freeze for a highway,” Mr. Czestochowski says. “Nobody buys land to be put on a freeze for decades.”

While developers factor in the possibility of delays, banking on rising prices to offset the cost of holding land, he says land prices have declined in some areas because of a slowing economy amid spiralling interest rates.

“Time is not necessarily on our side. Once the transit corridor realignment has been solidified and if you’re far enough away from a buffer … those lands could be released for development sooner rather than later.”



The plan for Heritage Heights aims to create sustainable and walkable communities for people to work, live and play. Supplied.

Mr. Czestochowski says construction could start within a couple of years, with the balance of the Heritage Heights lands developed once the highway is built.

The highway project is essential to support the movement of goods through one of the continent’s fastest-growing regions and to ease congestion on Highway 401, says Ontario Transportation Minister and Brampton South MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria.

It’s a view supported by business groups including the Brampton Board of Trade, which calls the highway critical infrastructure.

Ontario opposes Brampton’s concept plan for Heritage Heights even though it would further provincial homebuilding objectives, with the construction of nearly 36,000 residences.

It would also provide 320,000 square metres of commercial gross floor area and create more than 42,000 jobs, many at high-tech enterprises, according to an economic analysis commissioned by the city, Mr. Medeiros says.

He says city council in 2020 unanimously endorsed the HHSP plan after extensive community engagement, which saw the concept supported by landowners as well as environmental groups.

Mr. Medeiros says he’s hoping aspects of the HHSP could co-exist with Highway 413, with on- and off-ramps linked to the boulevard, noting as well that Brampton has sent a letter to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation asking it to consider the boulevard option.

If highway construction does proceed through Heritage Heights in place of a boulevard, Brampton would need to review its zoning designation to accommodate the development, allocating portions for uses such as residential and employment, says Emelie Rowe, a sales associate with CBRE.

And while area landowners in letters to the city say they support the HHSP concept for a walkabout community that fosters “desirable neighbourhoods” and economic growth, Mr. Czestochowski suggested that a highway could be a positive for some property valuations, depending on the intended use.

If the use is higher-end employment, “I’d rather be next to a highway. If it’s residential or retail, I’d rather be next to a grand boulevard.

“In this area now, developers would rather see a grand boulevard and residential use,” he says. “We’d all like to see the Heritage plan proceed but, unfortunately, we’re not in control.”

 

[innsertnamehere]

Ontario Newsroom

news.ontario.ca

Early Works contracts going out in 2025, with major expropriation expected by end of this year, apparently.

Early Works on the Bradford Bypass are scheduled this year as well (utility relocations, corridor clearing, etc.).

The province is currently undertaking fieldwork, including borehole drilling and engineering, to evaluate soil composition and bedrock depth. By mid-May, the province will be hosting a market sounding event with key private sector experts to discuss ways to move construction forward quickly and efficiently, taking advantage of new technologies and project acceleration strategies while maximizing opportunities for economic development.

The province will be meeting with property owners to acquire land at fair market value and following the coming into force of the Get it Done Act, if passed, will begin expediting land acquisitions in the fall. In addition, the province is planning for the release of the first early works construction contracts to begin building Highway 413 in 2025, subject to all necessary approvals.

 

[ShonTron]

How can we trust this government to start constructing Highway 413 next year when it can't even get Highway 7 New going between Kitchener and Guelph?

Oh, wait, none of Ford's York Region "friends" have land assemblies along the Highway 7 corridor.

 

[Haljackey]

Construction to start next year

Ontario Newsroom

news.ontario.ca

 

[kamira51]

How can we trust this government to start constructing Highway 413 next year when it can't even get Highway 7 New going between Kitchener and Guelph?

Oh, wait, none of Ford's York Region "friends" have land assemblies along the Highway 7 corridor.

I believe they're close to building the bridges over the grand river currently.

 

[Steve X]

How can we trust this government to start constructing Highway 413 next year when it can't even get Highway 7 New going between Kitchener and Guelph?

Oh, wait, none of Ford's York Region "friends" have land assemblies along the Highway 7 corridor.

You can see how well Ford's priority projects are moving along versus projects handed to them.

Examples:
Eglinton West Extension: One TBM has completed tunneling. This wasn't even a thing when he was elected.
Ontario Line: Major constructions have began
Scarborough Extension (revised project from one stop to STC): It's digging (hopefully)
Bradford Bypass: starting soon
413: Starting soon

Handed to Ford projects:
Highway 7 expressway: nowhere
Highway 69/400 completion: is it even happening?
Progressive Twinning Highway 17 near the Manitoba boarder: Did we all forget this decade long announcement.
Yonge North extension: Snail pace
GO Expansion: Are they even electrifying the system now?
SmartTrack Stations: Oh that fool is gone

If Ford is relected, I could see the Sheppard extension happening before this list gets moving. At least this government has priorities. Liberals? The Federal Cons?

 

[Sunnyside]

You can see how well Ford's priority projects are moving along versus projects handed to them.

Examples:
Eglinton West Extension: One TBM has completed tunneling. This wasn't even a thing when he was elected.
Ontario Line: Major constructions have began
Scarborough Extension (revised project from one stop to STC): It's digging (hopefully)
Bradford Bypass: starting soon
413: Starting soon

Handed to Ford projects:
Highway 7 expressway: nowhere
Highway 69/400 completion: is it even happening?
Progressive Twinning Highway 17 near the Manitoba boarder: Did we all forget this decade long announcement.
Yonge North extension: Snail pace
GO Expansion: Are they even electrifying the system now?
SmartTrack Stations: Oh that fool is gone

If Ford is relected, I could see the Sheppard extension happening before this list gets moving. At least this government has priorities. Liberals? The Federal Cons?

Most of these are happening, the government just doesn’t care about communicating because we might not like the exact timelines. Highway 7 for instance has early works beginning, the difference is it’s less of a priority. And please, don’t forget the Hamilton LRT… it’s been in such bad limbo it doesn’t even get mentioned with dates by comparison. At least some of these are moving forward, albeit more opaquely than others.

Side note, most of these ‘urban’ projects will happen, and GO is ‘still’ going to be electrifying, because it is now unquestionably necessary thanks to the lack of highway or (mainly) RT-kms built to preclude it. More than anything, we need a way to accommodate growth and there is no comparable alternative. I have said it before, but we best believe the province examines the indicators that tell us if economies will fail because efficient movement/flow of commerce is too difficult. No government could ignore these pressures without truly screwing everything.

And also, YNSE cannot exist without the OL. Not to sound dramatic, but in basic terms, the crowding would kill people. There is no rush.

 

[2323]

And also, YNSE cannot exist without the OL. Not to sound dramatic, but in basic terms, the crowding would kill people. There is no rush.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe YNSE is intentionally set to open simultaneously or a bit after OL. Thought I also read somewhere or in some announcement that construction will begin Q4 2024/Q1 2025

 

[innsertnamehere]

You can see how well Ford's priority projects are moving along versus projects handed to them.

Examples:
Eglinton West Extension: One TBM has completed tunneling. This wasn't even a thing when he was elected.
Ontario Line: Major constructions have began
Scarborough Extension (revised project from one stop to STC): It's digging (hopefully)
Bradford Bypass: starting soon
413: Starting soon

Handed to Ford projects:
Highway 7 expressway: nowhere It's progressed at the same speed it did under the Liberals, glacially.
Highway 69/400 completion: is it even happening? This one has had major issues with indigenous reserves it runs through that is mostly clear from my understanding now. Two new stretches are due to go to procurement soon, including the first southern extension of the 400 in 15 years.
Progressive Twinning Highway 17 near the Manitoba boarder: Did we all forget this decade long announcement. This is literally under construction after the Liberals kept punting it down the line.
Yonge North extension: Snail pace This is technically a ford file as well, and is actually moving at a decent pace. the PCs have always been open that the intention was for the Yonge Extension to be the last of the 4 major subway projects to ensure that the Ontario Line opens first.
GO Expansion: Are they even electrifying the system now? While GO Expansion is far slower than everyone hoped, Ford signed the master contract 2 years ago with the private sector partner. Major construction will ramp up this year and they take control of the network on January 1, 2025. It's happening.
SmartTrack Stations: Oh that fool is gone Procurement went out last year and construction on most of them has started over the last few weeks.

If Ford is relected, I could see the Sheppard extension happening before this list gets moving. At least this government has priorities. Liberals? The Federal Cons?

See my comments.

The only infrastructure projects which Ford has really dithered on, IMO, is Highway 7 and the Morristown Bypass. He's also pulled funding from the 400 widening and redirected it to other projects, but at least has left partial funding for parts of it to continue forward.