Ontario Building Highway 413

Construction will begin in 2025, creating thousands of union jobs and contributing $350 million to provincial GDP

April 30, 2024

CALEDON — The Ontario government is moving ahead to get shovels in the ground on Highway 413 after having reached an agreement with the federal government for the project to proceed with strong environmental protections in place.

“We are delivering on our promise to build Highway 413 with a plan to fix gridlock and get drivers across Halton, Peel and York regions where they need to go faster,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Highway 413 will help meet the needs of our growing province as a prosperity corridor that will create thousands of good-paying union jobs during the construction phase and make life easier and more convenient for millions of drivers in the GTA and across Ontario. We’re getting it done.”

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.

“We have a responsibility to ensure Ontario drivers have more time to spend on the moments that really matter in life, not stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Highway 413 will bring much-needed relief to drivers across the GTA and our government is proud to be getting it done.”

As Ontario makes significant progress on Highway 413, the province is also working with union and industry partners to create high-paying jobs for Ontario workers. During construction, Highway 413 is expected to contribute $350 million to the province’s real GDP and support 3,500 jobs each year, such as heavy equipment operators, drilling and coring contractors, concrete and steel workers, utility contractors, environmental specialists, laboratory technologists and safety inspectors.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is reviving our construction sector with critical infrastructure projects like Highway 413, which will create thousands of well-paying careers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “The skilled trades is a major driver of Ontario’s economic prosperity. As our government makes record investments in job-creating critical infrastructure, we’re proud to work with union and industry partners through our over $1 billion Skills Development Fund to create the talent highway for workers to land a better job with a bigger paycheck in the skilled trades.”

Highway 413 is a central component of the government’s transportation plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, designed to improve travel options and drive economic growth throughout the region. In addition to reducing commute times and improving connections to housing and jobs, Highway 413 will help spur investment in the province’s auto manufacturing and other industries.

Quick Facts

Highway 413 is a proposed 52-kilometre highway and transitway that will include extensions to Highways 410 and 427.
The Greater Golden Horseshoe is one of the fastest growing regions in North America, attracting hundreds of thousands of newcomers each year.
Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass are part of Ontario’s $70 billion plan to build, repair and upgrade roads, highways and bridges across the province.
Highway 413 is subject to Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act and other provincial and federal protections, including those under the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Species at Risk Act.

Quotes

“With a significant increase in Brampton’s population, the need to examine the long-term transportation planning requirements and provide better linkages between urban growth centres is more important than ever. The movement of goods and services is very important to our city and for the region. Getting product to market is integral for creating an environment that is open for business and I welcome the progress made on this vital project.”

– Patrick Brown
Mayor of Brampton

“Highway 413 will be critical infrastructure for the fastest growing region of Ontario. RCCAO members, the men and women building our province, are proud to support this project and build it so all Ontarians can benefit from it for generations to come. The building of Highway 413 will create thousands of jobs and provide training opportunities for our province’s next generation of builders, offering economic benefits and increased prosperity for Ontario.”

– Nadia Todorova
Executive Director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario

“Highway 413 represents a vital artery for the Greater Toronto Area’s future economic growth, connectivity, and quality of life. Its construction will generate thousands of jobs, reduce commuter times, and allow for urgently needed new housing and industrial development. Together with its transit investments, it is clear that the Ontario Government recognizes the pivotal role transportation infrastructure plays in driving prosperity. We also applaud the Ministry of Transportation’s continued practice of using recycled aggregate in the construction of its 400-series highways to protect non-renewable resources and reduce carbon emissions.”

– Raly Chakarova
Executive Director of Toronto and Area Road Builders Association

“Today’s announcement is great news for the people of Ontario and the 56,000 workers employed by the province’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the leading voice of the industry, we welcome the government’s plan to get shovels in the ground next year, and our members are ready to deliver this generational project.”

– Walid Abou-Hamde
CEO, Ontario Road Builders Association

“Today’s announcement on Highway 413 is a game changer. Highway 413 is a critical piece of infrastructure and a key part of promoting the growth and economic prosperity of our province by vastly improving access to national and international supply chains. Once again, the Ford government has shown its support for Ontario’s trucking industry and economic growth is unwavering.”

– Stephen Laskowski
President of the Ontario Trucking Association

“Premier Ford and Minister David Piccini’s recent announcement of the Hwy 413 construction will create jobs for many Ontarians and Ironworker members. This is a testament to our provincial government’s commitment to building Ontario through infrastructure growth and respect of the skilled workers who make it possible.”

– Neil MacDonald
BM/FST Ironworkers Local 721

“Growing regions require resilient and reliable infrastructure including our roads that help pave a strong foundation for our future, strengthen connectivity and keep our supply chain moving. Highway 413 will create 3,500 construction jobs per year that will have a direct impact on our members and on our economy. Ontario’s infrastructure, such as Highway 413 can only succeed with a safe, skilled workforce and to date in addition to transformative infrastructure investments, the Ford government has invested over $960M through the Skills Development Fund to train and strengthen Ontario’s workforce and advance opportunities for our apprentices. On behalf of LiUNA, we look forward to continue working together with Premier Doug Ford, Labour Minister David Piccini and the provincial government to build Ontario and move us forward!”

– Joseph Mancinelli
LiUNA International Vice President and Canadian Director

“LiUNA has been a long-time advocate for this project. Highway 413 represents a vital artery which will not only ease the commute for our members but also ensure the seamless flow of material, equipment, and people power to our construction sites. In addition to the thousands of proud and skilled LiUNA Local 183 members who will be responsible for the construction, Highway 413 will also provide tremendous opportunities for much-needed apprentices to enter the skilled trades.”

– Jack Oliveira
Business Manager, LiUNA! Local 183

“With Ontario’s projected growth and increased immigration, the need to move people and products to market is vital to the future of our province. The addition of Highway 413 means more jobs and prosperity for Ontario now, and for generations to come. We commend Premier Ford’s work to keep Ontario moving forward!”

– Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, IUOE Local 793

Additional Resources

Connecting the GGH: A Transportation Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Ontario Building Highway 413

Table of Contents

Quick Facts

Quotes

Additional Resources

Related Topics