Ontario government to consider buying back Highway 407

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM: The Ontario provincial government is considering buying back a highway which runs through the Greater Toronto Area, including across Durham Region.

At a recent press conference, Premier Doug Ford said “everything is on the table right now” in regards to the possibility of the province buying back Highway 407.

“We’ll do the feasibility study, we’ll look at the 407 and see exactly which way we are going. We own 22 kilometres on the far end of the 407, and there’s other opportunities along the 407,” Premier Ford explained.

Highway 407 is a tolled highway. It was sold by the Mike Harris government in 1999 to a consortium of Canadian and Spanish investors.

“The 407 will be at capacity in the next 20 years or so. So we’ve got to think down the road, and build something which will last 50 to 100 years,” Premier Ford stated.

Ontario’s Premier also announced the government is looking to increase speed limits on 400 series highways to 110 “where it is safe to do.”