News Releases
New Lanes in Markham Mean Even Faster Commute on 407 ETR
Toronto, November 20, 2006
Expect faster trips and less congestion as 407 ETR today officially opened another four kilometres of new lanes between Markham and McCowan Roads. This expansion is in addition to the $90 million project that added 50 kilometres of new lanes between Highways 427 and 404 which opened in October.
“More lanes mean faster trips for our customers,” said Antonio de Santiago, President and Chief Executive Officer of 407 ETR. “We’re proud of our reputation as a fast, safe and reliable highway. We’re reinvesting toll dollars into more lanes to keep traffic moving.
“Not only will the additional lanes increase safety and traffic flow, but it benefits the region’s economy by improving productivity,” said de Santiago, noting that the Toronto Board of Trade estimates that over $2 billion is lost each year due to congestion.
The Markham to McCowan project was originally scheduled to commence in 2008. However, the benefits of improved traffic flow justified early lane widening in this section. By adding the additional lane in each direction, traffic capacity will increase over 50 per cent and increase safety on this busy section of the highway.
“We kept adding lanes while minimizing the disruption to our customers. Crews worked hard throughout the summer and into the fall to make all 54 kilometres of new lanes available to customers as soon as possible,” said de Santiago. “We appreciate our customers’ patience during this construction period, and hope we have exceeded their expectations with the new lanes.”
Over the next year, 407 ETR will continue to widen the highway further west – another 50 lane kilometres between Highways 427 and 401 in Milton. This project is already well underway and is scheduled to be completed by October 2007.
407 ETR Concession Company Limited (“407 ETR”) is the operator and manager of Highway 407, which extends 108 kilometres east-west, just north of Toronto. 407 International Inc., the sole shareholder of 407 ETR, is owned by a consortium comprised of Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, Macquarie Infrastructure Group and SNC-Lavalin.
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For more information, contact:
Media:
Dale A. Albers
Manager, Public Relations
Tel: 905-264-5221
