Doug Ford’s Plan for a Tunnel Under the 401: A Make believe for Toronto’s Traffic Woes

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has introduced a bold and ambitious idea to ease the growing traffic congestion in Toronto: constructing a tunnel beneath the busy Highway 401 to serve as an underground highway. Dubbed a “highway under the highway,” this concept aims to provide relief to one of the most congested highways in North America. Is this just another other publicity stunt, make believe story or is this really possible in province where we don’t even have electrified trains and only 2 subway lines?

The Problem: Congestion on the 401, 410 and 404

The 401 Highway, stretching across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is notorious for its heavy traffic, often turning what should be quick commutes into hours-long journeys. As the main arterial road connecting Toronto with cities across Ontario and beyond, it handles over 400,000 vehicles per day. Despite several expansions over the years, the 401 remains a significant bottleneck for transportation. As the GTA continues to grow, traffic conditions are expected to worsen, creating a need for innovative solutions to tackle gridlock. But 401 is not the only highway that is congested in the GTA. Highway 410, 404 and Don Valley Parkway are other stop and go asphalt parking lots. As the GTA continues to grow, existing highways are just not capable to accommodate such growth. Something needs to be done. But what? Flying cars are not here yet and public transportation is probably 50 years behind. Oh yes, build probably the most expensive solution there is! A tunnel highway.

The Proposed Solution: A Tunnel Under the 401

Premier Ford’s tunnel proposal is part of his larger strategy to address the region’s transportation needs. While details are still emerging, the concept would involve constructing a large underground tunnel beneath the 401, providing an alternative route for commuters, transport trucks, and long-distance travelers.

The idea behind this “highway under the highway” is simple: alleviate the pressure on the 401 by diverting some of the traffic underground. The new tunnel would create additional lanes for vehicles, potentially shortening travel times and improving the overall flow of traffic across the region. Another idea is to build tunnel highway connecting Brampton with Mississauga and Richmond Hill with Scarborough. Seriously? Many have asked them selves! A tunnel highway under existing highways!? Yep, Doug Ford said it! According to the premier, a study is to be made on possibility and feasibility.

Potential Benefits

• Reduced Traffic Congestion: By diverting a portion of the traffic underground, the 401 could experience reduced gridlock, resulting in faster commutes.
• Enhanced Infrastructure: The tunnel would not only improve traffic flow but could also serve as a critical infrastructure project, boosting employment and providing long-term benefits to the province’s economy.
• Economic Growth: By improving transportation efficiency, the tunnel could facilitate smoother movement of goods, benefiting businesses and reducing costs associated with transportation delays.
• Improved Quality of Life: Shorter commute times could lead to less stress for drivers, giving people more time for personal activities and improving work-life balance for those who rely on the 401 for daily commutes.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the idea of a tunnel under the 401, 410 and 404 is visionary, it comes with its share of challenges.

• Cost: Large infrastructure projects such as this require significant investment. While Ford has indicated the government’s willingness to invest, critics have raised concerns over the potential cost of the tunnel and how it would be financed. Would it involve public-private partnerships, toll roads, or increased taxes? Similar projects that are currently built is a system of subterranean tunnels called Förbifart Stockholm is being built to avoid the Swedish metropolis of Stockholm.The new 21-kilometer E4 freeway segment that will link north and south of Stockholm has 18 km of tunnels.The project is expected to be completed in 2031 at a cost of SEK 41.7 billion (US$3.8 billion), with construction having begun in 2016.
• Construction Disruption: Constructing a tunnel beneath a busy highway like the 401,410 and 404 could cause major disruptions during the building phase. Finding ways to minimize the impact on current traffic will be key to the project’s success.
• Environmental Concerns: There may be environmental implications associated with the project, such as air quality issues, impact on local ecosystems, and concerns about the tunnel’s carbon footprint. Ensuring that the project aligns with Ontario’s environmental goals will be crucial.
• Feasibility: Building a tunnel under an already existing highway presents significant engineering challenges. The geological makeup of the area and the need to maintain traffic flow on the 401 above could make this a complex and expensive endeavor.

Public Response and What’s Next

While some see Ford’s tunnel proposal as a much-needed step to tackle the province’s chronic traffic problems, others remain skeptical, citing concerns about cost, environmental impact, and the long-term viability of such a project. The public and various stakeholders will likely weigh in as the idea progresses through feasibility studies, consultations, and planning stages.

For now, Premier Ford’s proposal has ignited a conversation about the future of Ontario’s infrastructure and how best to meet the growing demands of an expanding population. If successfully implemented, the tunnel could mark a turning point in how Toronto and the surrounding region address transportation challenges.

Doug Ford’s plan to build a highway under the 401 is a bold and ambitious vision that aims to alleviate one of the most pressing issues facing Toronto’s commuters. While it presents numerous benefits, including reduced traffic congestion and potential economic growth, it also comes with significant challenges. As the project moves forward, Ontarian’s will be watching closely to see whether this vision becomes a reality and how it will shape the future of transportation in the province.

A make believe public stunt, according many Ontarian’s especially when we take into account that GTA public transport is not even close where it should be. Toronto for instance has only 70 kilometres of subway, 70 stations and only 3 lines. Compared with other metropolitan cities like New York, Berlin, Moscow or Paris, Toronto certainly looks pale.

New York: 472 stations in operation and about 399 kilometres of subway lines

Berlin: 173 stations and 146 kilometres

Paris: 303 stations and 225 kilometres

Moscow: 230 stations and 397 kilometres

But how about other public transportation capabilities? How about modern trains? Germany, France, Japan, Italy, China, South Korea, Spain and even Morocco have high speed railways with top speeds exceeding 300 km/h. Canada did not even implement regular speed electric railway by now. How about exploring these possibilities? Perhaps, only perhaps if people have great and speedy connection from home to workplace would not use cars to clog major highways.

Another possible solution would be to use our waterways as transportation. One great car carrier connection from Toronto to US side of Lake Ontario was discontinued due to lack of financing.

Building roads and major highways in the GTA is a must for at least near future, but did our transportation professionals explore really all possibilities? The facts speak against it.

Will we see major underground highways in the GTA by 2050? Possibly, but highly unlikely.