Province abandons plans for new highway
A new “GTA west” highway will not be moving forward, the Ontario government announced in a Feb. 9 press release.
The corridor study area, first announced in 2007, was intended to address transportation needs in the region.
In 2015, the Ministry of Transportation suspended the environmental assessment and reviewed the project through an advisory panel.
After review, the province announced last week it will not be proceeding with the EA. However, lands are being protected for future study, including an area that extends from Highway 400, through Vaughan, Caledon, Brampton and Halton Hills to connect with Highways 401 and 407.
“We’re planning for unprecedented growth in the region, with more people and more jobs, by investing in a well-planned, connected and innovative transportation system that can adapt to changing times,” said Minister of Transportation Kathryn McGarry in the release.
“We have an obligation to respond to new and emerging technologies that impact the movement of people and goods, and we want to be sure that we make the right choices for this region.”
The original EA included Wellington, but the county is not included in the new study area.
The GTA West Advisory Panel concluded the corridor, which crosses protected lands, did not demonstrate it was “the only option available to address the study area’s future transportation needs.”
It also stated transportation needs have changed since the launch of the EA in 2007.
