Construction agreement for Hwy 413 initiation announced; Premier predicts a reduction of 30 minutes in travel times
Premier Doug Ford announced on August 28, 2025, the awarding of contracts for the start of Highway 413 construction. The 52-kilometer highway will run from Highway 401 in Mississauga to Highway 400 in Vaughan, aiming to reduce gridlock and boost the economy.
However, the details of the contracts, cost, and the opening date for motorists have yet to be revealed. The contracts for the construction of the Autobahn 413 have not been specified, but road construction machines are set to begin work in May 2025.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria defended the project, stating that the contracts have been tendered and broken up into multiple pieces to accelerate construction. The construction is expected to shorten travel times up to 30 minutes per trip.
Not everyone is in favour of the project. Liberal MPP Andrea Hazell criticized the lack of information on timelines and the price tag for the Highway 413 project. She expressed concerns about potential public money being wasted. Green Party leader Mike Schreiner also criticised the project, stating it will only fuel more sprawl and pollution while destroying wetlands and farmland.
The potential impact on endangered species like the Redside Dace remains unclear, as no new information has been provided.
In a recent statement, Premier Ford mentioned that more information will be available in the next few days. Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Sarkaria did not answer questions about the highway's budget and time frame for completion.
Marit Stiles, the Liberal transportation critic, suggested removing tolls from Highway 407, but Ford responded that doing so has resulted in traffic jams at times. Sarkaria also mentioned that the cost of not building Highway 413 is significant.
The construction contracts include resurfacing Highway 10 in preparation for a future bridge over Highway 413 and upgrades at the intersection of the Highway 401 and 407 interchanges. Despite the ongoing questions, Ford stated that the project is essential to stand up to President Trump in the trade war with the United States.
As the construction of Highway 413 progresses, the debate continues about its necessity, cost, and potential environmental impact. Ford's promise of more information in the coming days will likely be closely watched by all parties involved.
