Caledon, ON — The Ontario government has officially launched construction on Highway 413, awarding the first two contracts in a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project billed as critical to easing congestion and driving economic growth across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The new highway will connect York, Peel and Halton regions, stretching from the Highway 401/407 interchange near Mississauga, Milton and Halton Hills to Highway 400 in Vaughan, with extensions planned to Highways 410 and 427. Officials say the project will cut daily commutes by up to 30 minutes, support more than 6,000 jobs annually during construction, and contribute over $1 billion to Ontario’s GDP each year.
A Signature Project for the Ford Government
Premier Doug Ford, speaking in Caledon, called the start of work a key milestone in the province’s strategy to confront gridlock, which a government-commissioned report estimates costs the economy as much as $56 billion annually.
“Highway 413 is at the centre of our plan to get drivers in the GTA and across Ontario out of gridlock, and we’re getting it done,” said Ford. “In the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, we’re awarding critical construction contracts faster so we can get shovels in the ground on major infrastructure projects, keep Ontario’s economy going and keep thousands of workers on the job across the province.”
Initial work includes resurfacing Highway 10 in preparation for a new bridge over the future highway, as well as upgrades to the Highway 401/407 interchange. The project is part of nearly $30 billion Ontario plans to invest in highways, bridges and road projects over the next decade.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria emphasized the broader economic impact: “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government continues to fight gridlock that costs Ontario up to $56 billion a year, so we can unlock our province’s full economic potential and keep workers on the job. Highway 413 will provide much-needed relief along one of the most congested highway corridors in North America.”
Local Leaders Tout Benefits
The announcement drew support from local representatives and municipal leaders who see the highway as a long-term solution for growth pressures.
“Our government is delivering the infrastructure needed to protect Ontario’s future by tackling gridlock and keeping people and goods moving,” said Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin–Caledon. “For families and businesses in Dufferin—Caledon and across Peel Region, this project will mean shorter commutes, more time at home and thousands of good-paying jobs.”
Caledon Mayor Annette Groves noted the project’s local impact: “The Highway 413 corridor will be a big help for our villages by supporting the extension of Highway 410 and easing traffic congestion on Highway 10 and in Caledon Village. It will also spur the extension of Highway 427 and reduce the number of heavy trucks traveling on Highway 50.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown highlighted the competitiveness angle: “As the fastest growing of Canada’s seven largest cities, Brampton knows first-hand the toll gridlock takes on families and our economy. Highway 413 will create good quality jobs, attract new investment and ensure people and goods move more efficiently.”
Business Community Voices Support
The project has also garnered endorsements from industry and business organizations.
“The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Ontario government’s progress on Highway 413,” said Jennifer Coletta-Rashty, President and CEO of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce. “This project is critical to supporting the movement of goods, addressing gridlock and unlocking future economic opportunities for businesses and residents across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”
Michael McSweeney, Executive Director of the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, said the project will be an economic driver for materials suppliers: “The start of Highway 413 construction shows that Ontario is serious about building for the future. For our members, any project that drives new demand for stone, sand and gravel is a lifeline.”
The Ontario Road Builders’ Association also endorsed the highway. “Congestion costs Ontario up to $56 billion each year — investments like Highway 413 are critical to reversing that trend,” said Steven Crombie, Senior Director of Public Affairs.
Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, described the highway as a generational investment: “Highway 413 will bring much-needed transportation and transit capacity to the fastest-growing region of the GTA. This project is not just a highway, but a generational investment in economic growth, connectivity and opportunity for communities across the region.”
Looking Ahead
Highway 413 has long been a contentious infrastructure file, with supporters pointing to economic benefits and critics raising environmental concerns. While the government has fast-tracked approvals under the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, questions remain about costs, timelines and potential environmental impacts.
Still, for the Ford government and its supporters, the launch of construction signals a tangible commitment to tackling congestion and boosting economic competitiveness in the GTA. As Ford put it, “Getting shovels in the ground on Highway 413 is about more than building a road — it’s about creating thousands of good-paying jobs, reducing traffic congestion and delivering the critical infrastructure to support growth across the region.”
