| “It’s great news that
this has progressed quickly over the last few years
considering how long it took to get these final two
phases underway,” says Brampton Board of Trade President
Linda Ford.
The Brampton Board of Trade has been an unwavering advocate
for completion of the 410 for many years, listing the
issue as one of its top policy advocacy priorities.
The Brampton Board of Trade has met numerous times and
corresponded regularly wih successive Ministers of Transportation
to ensure the project was also top of mind for the provincial
government. “Completion is pivotal to reducing congestion
for businesses and residents in Brampton,” says Ford.
Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield visited
Brampton to announce that the northbound lanes from
Bovaird Drive to Mayfield Road will initially open only
to car traffic. The two lanes will accommodate passenger
vehicles until the widening of Mayfield Road from Dixie
Road to Hwy. 10 and bridge construction in the final
phase of the extension are completed in fall 2008. At
the announcement, Minister Cansfield made a particular
effort to speak to BBOT President Linda Ford, Immediate
Past President Wayne Waters, and CEO Sheldon Leiba to
recognize The Brampton Board of Trade’s persistence
in advocating for the extension.
The southbound lanes between from Mayfield Road to Bovaird
Drive will open in September, but only to car traffic
until further construction at Heart Lake Road is complete.
Brampton Centre MPP Linda Jeffrey said the extension
will make “a huge difference to all the people and businesses
in the community."
Once the northbound lanes are open, the province estimates
up to 60,000 cars will use the road daily.
Work on the third and final phase of the highway's extension,
from Mayfield Road to Hwy. 10 in Caledon, is underway
and scheduled for completion by 2009. The province is
still negotiating some final land purchases.
A $42 million contract for the final phase of construction
has been awarded to B. Gottardo Construction Ltd. of
Woodbridge. The highway will be lengthened four more
kilometers from Mayfield Road to Hwy. 10 and three bridges
and a new interchange at Valleywood will be built.
The government, in partnership with the Region of Peel,
is investing almost $160 million for the complete extension.
The Region has agreed to share about 30 per cent of
the costs.
Peel Region Chair Emil Kolb said the highway’s completion
will contribute to the quality of life and economic
prosperity of the Region.
Once 410 is completed, Cansfield says the province
will focus on widening Highway 10 right through to Highway
9. "We're going to ensure Highway 10 is widened
to four lanes all the way up," she said. "We're
proceeding vigorously on this file because we are well
aware of the congestion."
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