A yr after Ontario Premier Doug Ford introduced his dream that an expressway, tunnelled below Highway 401, would relieve Toronto’s gridlock woes, the federal government says it hasn’t finalized which agency will research whether or not the mission is feasible.
On Sept. 25, 2024, Ford stood on the aspect of Highway 401 and outlined his plan to construct a 50-kilometre tunnel beneath considered one of North America’s most congested highways, stretching from Mississauga to Markham.
Ford was adamant on the time the mission would go forward in some kind, however mentioned a feasibility research would look into how lengthy the route would finally be, learn how to incorporate transit and the way a lot it may value.
In the spring, the federal government issued a request for bidders to tackle that research, asking them to report over roughly two years on how the mission would work and what alternate options, like elevated highways, may obtain the identical purpose.
Months after the request for proposals, and a yr after the plan was first introduced, nonetheless, no firm has been confirmed to tackle the research.
“We have had vital curiosity in delivering this essential transportation hyperlink and the ministry is actively reviewing submissions previous to the award of the contract,” a spokesperson for the minstry of transportation instructed Global News. “We proceed to work with business consultants as we advance work on the Highway 401 tunnel.”
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Sandro Perruzza, the chief director of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, mentioned a gradual and cautious method to the feasibility research and awarding the contract was to be inspired.
“The extra info you might have firstly of the mission — you’ll be able to outline the design firstly of the mission — it makes building quite a bit simpler after that since you’ve considered all of the contingencies which will occur,” he instructed Global News.
“We’ve proven that for each extra greenback you spend on pre-engineering work, you save $100 in building prices.”
Opposition politicians are much less satisfied. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner instructed the federal government knew the tunnel was unfeasible, so it was intentionally dragging its heels.
“This mission is such a ridiculous mission that no one in authorities desires to maneuver quick on it as a result of they know what a fiscal nightmare it’s going to be,” he mentioned.
“The premier is aware of what a financially reckless and irresponsible mission that is, and he doesn’t need to be trustworthy with the folks of Ontario about what a foul monetary determination this is able to be.”
As Global News beforehand reported, inside authorities work to have a look at the concept was shelved in 2021 and located it might be vulnerable to collapse.
The undeniable fact that the feasibility research hasn’t been awarded but may sprint Ford’s hopes the federal authorities will choose the tunnel as a nation-building mission, a standing which might assist it bypass varied assessments.
The premier beforehand mentioned he hoped Ottawa would choose it, though he didn’t seem to have been instructed it will be chosen.
Perruzza mentioned he thought far too little work had been performed to plan the tunnel for the federal authorities to grant it fast-track standing.
“I might be very stunned if it does get picked up at this stage as a result of quite a lot of the opposite tasks which have been introduced and are nonetheless to be thought-about have been within the works for years,” he mentioned.
The authorities defended the plan, saying it was crucial to deal with rising gridlock.
“Ontario’s inhabitants is quickly rising, and all 400 collection highways are already at capability,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“We want to have a look at all choices to maintain folks shifting, which incorporates constructing the Highway 401 tunnel. This transformative mission will struggle gridlock, create 1000’s of excellent paying jobs and shield Ontario’s economic system.”
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