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Feasibility Study for Highway 401 Tunnel Project Expected to Take Two Years

A feasibility study regarding the construction of an express tunnel beneath Highway 401 could extend up to two years, according to recent reports. This comes as the Ford government prepares to release a contract aimed at exploring the potential costs and feasibility of the ambitious infrastructure initiative.

In fall 2024, Premier Doug Ford announced the exploration of a traffic-transit tunnel covering a 50-kilometre stretch of the heavily congested highway. The goal is to mitigate the economic impact of gridlock that plagues Toronto.

Although the government has shared limited information about the anticipated project, including specific costs, the Progressive Conservative Party had previously pledged to pursue this major infrastructure investment during the recent provincial election.

The particulars of the project were outlined in a document released in January 2025 titled “401 Tunnel Feasibility and Gridlock Relief Plan.” Within this document, it is projected that by 2051, average travel times along Highway 401 between Highway 427 and Highway 404 may double, escalating from the current average of 22 minutes to an estimated 44 minutes. This projection reaffirms findings from a comparable assessment conducted in 2022.

To alleviate the ongoing congestion, engineering firms have been tasked with evaluating an east-west tunnel route, stretching from west of Highway 410 in Mississauga to east of Scarborough. They will also assess how construction may affect the already congested highway.

Key Criteria for the Government’s Request

The Ford government is seeking thorough analyses to inform its approach, including the following:

• An evaluation of the tunneling option for enhancing vehicle and transit capacity
• An exploration of alternative infrastructure possibilities, such as elevated highways and adjacent routes
• High-level cost assessments and economic evaluations
• Considerations regarding design, environmental impacts, and construction logistics

The internal documentation suggests that the feasibility study may require up to two years to complete. However, experts caution that this timeline could represent a significant financial investment without providing immediate relief from current congestion issues.

Matti Siemiatycki, director of the Infrastructure Institute at the University of Toronto, commented on the situation: “The congestion we are facing is becoming increasingly problematic, and this issue has persisted for many years. Relying on a two-year study for a project that may take two decades does not offer immediate solutions.”

Siemiatycki further remarked, “This is a long-term endeavor. The scale of a highway project of this magnitude will likely lead to more traffic, ultimately failing to adequately resolve congestion over time.”

The planning document highlights the government’s cautious stance regarding what Premier Ford described as an “ambitious project.” It notes the scarcity of opportunities to enhance highway capacity without significant infrastructure updates like tunnels or elevated routes, emphasizing that the feasibility study will also investigate alternate routes and different transportation modalities.

Shoshana Saxe, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Toronto, expressed approval for the exploration of diverse options. However, she cautioned that the Premier’s favored tunnel solution may come at a high cost and is unlikely to result in timely outcomes. She stated, “While constructing large tunnels is technically feasible, the project will not yield benefits within the practical timeframe of our careers.”

Saxe suggested that the feasibility study might lead to recommendations for traffic management strategies, such as dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lanes or designated transit corridors, aimed at reducing the volume of vehicles on Highway 401.

The crux of the matter may reside within the document itself, which states the objective of the request-for-proposal as: “To achieve the desired outcomes outlined by the Premier.”

Source
globalnews.ca