Highway 407 owner says no active buyback discussions with Ontario government
CTV
Pressure is increasing on the provincial government to tap into the underused tolled Highway 407 to unclog congestion on Highway 401.
Pressure is increasing on the provincial government to tap into the underused tolled Highway 407 to unclog congestion on Highway 401.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his transportation minister have signalled an openness to consider buying back the 407, which was sold to a private consortium by the Mike Harris government in 1999.
“The Ontario Government has not engaged in any discussions with us regarding a potential buyback of Highway 407 ETR,” Christina Basil, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations for the highway tells CTV News in a statement.
Progressive Conservatives have also urged to pay the tolls for heavy trucks, a proposal aimed to take cargo off the 401 to create some breathing room.
"We're always in conversation with a 407 on a variety of, issues and measures. Our government's response has always been to find ways to relieve congestion in the province,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Friday when asked what options with the 407 were under consideration.
Transport Action Now President Peter Miasek argues there are many advantages to covering trucker tolls over a 407 buyback or building new highways.
"It can be implemented quickly. It spans the entire GTA. It's lower cost. It saves truckers a lot of journey time," Miasek said in an interview Friday.
