News Release: Provincial Investment In Highway 401 Will Benefit Toronto Motorists

Provincial Investment In Highway 401 Will Benefit Toronto Motorists

TORONTO - The province is investing $8.6-million to improve Highway 401 eastbound express lanes between Highway 404 and Victoria Park Avenue, Transportation Minister Brad Clark announced today.

"Our government's record investment in highway infrastructure is fueling economic growth throughout Ontario," said Clark. "When completed this project will improve traffic flow, enhance road safety and encourage economic expansion."

The contract was awarded to Dufferin Construction Company of Oakville. The project is for reconstruction on 2.4 kilometres of the Highway 401eastbound express lanes from Highway 404 to just east of Victoria Park Avenue. Work also includes construction of a continuous express lane from the collector-express transfer at Highway 404 to the express-collector transfer just east of Warden Avenue. Other work includes installation of a tall wall concrete median barrier, new high mast lighting and roadside safety improvements.

"The strategic investments in highways we are making through SuperBuild are crucial to Ontario's economic success and quality of life," said Finance Minister and Minister Responsible for SuperBuild Jim Flaherty.

"Upgrading this stretch of Highway 401 will create jobs and help people and goods move smoothly through the central part of the city," said David Turnbull, MPP for Don Valley West. "The hundreds of thousands of commuters who travel this section of freeway each day will especially benefit from these improvements."

Work began in mid-July, with completion scheduled in the early summer of 2002.

By the end of this year, the Ontario government will have invested more than $6 billion in highway capital programs, since 1995.