Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced today the first phase of the Highway 407 East Project is complete and will open in time for morning commuters on June 20, 2016.

Highways 407 and 412 were built by 407 East Development Group and will improve the transportation network in Durham Region by allowing residents more efficient access to other areas of the Greater Toronto Area. It will also create opportunities for businesses, accommodate population and employment growth and provide detour routes for emergency purposes. Ontario will own Highways 407 and 412, both of which will be tolled. The province will establish customer service standards, set toll rates and retain revenues generated by tolls.

Phase 1 of the Highway 407 East Project is a $1 billion infrastructure project that includes:

• Constructing Highway 407 between Brock Road in Pickering to Harmony Road in Oshawa (20 kilometres).
• Connecting Highway 407 to Highway 401 with Highway 412, a 10-kilometre, four-lane divided highway in Whitby.
• A five-kilometre realignment of Highway 401 to accommodate the connection to Highway 412.
  
  

407 East Development Group will receive annual payments from the province over a 30-year period. These payments cover design, construction, lifecycle repair and renewal of the highway for 30 years, as well as project financing. Ongoing maintenance and repairs will ensure Highways 407 and 412 are kept in excellent condition over the contract term.

The project was delivered under IO’s Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, which transfers risks associated with design, construction, financing and maintenance of the project to the private sector.

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.

Quotes:

Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
“The new Highway 407 will not only encourage economic opportunities for the Durham Region but will also provide an alternate route for commuters and travellers. Completing this section of highway is proof of our government’s commitment to making the daily commute and quality of life better for Ontario families.”

Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
“Our government is pleased that we could complete this critical piece of infrastructure that will serve residents of the Durham region for years to come. This project, part of the largest infrastructure investment in our history, not only supported local construction jobs, but will
deliver an important new highway link for the province. We are pleased to provide the people of Ontario a new option for commuting and travelling.”

Bert Clark, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario
“IO is pleased to have partnered with MTO to deliver the first phase of Highway 407 East Project. We are proud to see this project completed because we know the positive impact it will have on the local community and the Greater Toronto Area for decades to come.”

Quick Facts:

• Phase 1 of the Highway 407 East Project is the second major highway project completed by IO and MTO through the AFP model.
• These highways and its assets will remain publicly owned and controlled.
• At the peak of construction there were more than 1000 workers on site daily.