Investment in 33 km of new lanes and investment in the GTA communities served by 407 ETR

TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - 407 ETR has announced the official opening of 33 new lane kilometres on Highway 407 ETR between Highway 401 and Highway 410. There is now an additional lane in each direction in this area to maintain the flow of traffic for drivers.

This marks the third year in a row that 407 ETR has added new lanes on the Highway and signifies its ongoing investments to enhance and expand the roadway and driving experience. Since privatization, 407 ETR has effectively doubled the Highway 407 ETR's capacity, adding over 600 lane kilometres since 2001. This work has been completed in an efficient manner to keep traffic moving – and at no cost to taxpayers. All of the work completed was done under COVID-19 requirements for construction and the new lanes were inspected and approved for opening by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

The decision to proceed with investment into additional lanes took place despite the various socio-economic unknowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as the company believes being prepared for the recovery and managing traffic is of the utmost importance.

The Highway has now been built to approximately 90% of its maximum number of lanes. Careful planning continues on how to best manage traffic to ensure that drivers continue to save time and enjoy a safe trip with reliable trip times.

As construction proceeded, the Company immediately responded to the impact of the pandemic on local communities and hospitals across the GTA. "407 ETR responded quickly to the pandemic and assisted the communities we serve by donating free travel to hospital staff across the corridor and by giving $5.2 million to hospitals and United Way agencies across the GTA for emergency response and to fund the recovery into 2021 and 2022," said Javier Tamargo, President and Chief Executive Officer of 407 ETR. "This has been a vital time for our drivers and I am very proud of what we have been able to do on behalf of our customers, staff and the company."

QUICK FACTS

• Total annual trips have increased 74%, from 71.9 million in 1999 to over 125 million in 2019.
• Since 2001, 407 ETR has added more than 600 km of lanes to the highway at no cost to tax payers.
• Since assuming operation and maintenance of the highway, 407 ETR has invested more than $1.6B in extensions and expansions to accommodate the growing volume of drivers. This is above and beyond its $3.1B investment for the lease agreement.
• 407 ETR pays all costs of operating the highway, including the full cost of policing, snow removal, enforcement by the Ministry of Transportation and repairs and maintenance to the roadway.

ABOUT 407 ETR
Highway 407 ETR is a 108 km toll road located across the top of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Pre-pandemic we served almost 500,000 drivers and passengers from Burlington to Pickering each day, and save drivers more than 30 million hours every year so they have more time for the things that matter most. Since 1999, Highway 407 ETR has supported economic benefits totaling $15.9 billion within Ontario. Making life better for customers and surrounding communities is an important focus for the company. We support 20 local hospitals each year and sponsor more than 170 children and youth sports teams across the Highway. Learn more at 407etr.com/community.

The Company is owned by indirectly owned subsidiaries of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (total 50.01%), Cintra Global S.E., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S. A. (43.23%) and by SNC-Lavalin (6.76%). 

Background

• Average daily workday trips have increased from 237,000 in 1999 to over 408,000 in 2019.
• Total annual trips have increased from 71.9 million in 1999 to over 125 million in 2019.
• The number of transponders in circulation has increased from 346,371 with a user rate of 67% in 1999 to over 1,598,000 and a user rate of over 80% in 2019.
• Total vehicle kilometres travelled per year has increased from 1.275 billion in 1999 to 2.741 billion in 2019.
• The number and length of trips taken on 407 ETR and increased usage of transponders has correlated with the growth in Regional development and the extension and addition of new lanes to the highway (over 600 km since 2001).
• Extensions and expansions have been made possible through 407 ETR investments of over $1.6 billion (over and above the $3.1 billion paid to lease the highway) to keep traffic free flowing.
• Investments in safety initiatives, both on and off the road, have continued to provide customers a fast, safe and reliable trip. Safety events and sponsorships continue to demonstrate 407 ETR's commitment to its customers.
• The Company, along with its employees, continue to support hospitals along the corridor, support the United Way and participate in environmental stewardship opportunities by helping to plant trees and conserve sensitive lands.
• 24/7 Monitoring of the highway and conditions from 407 ETR's control room keep the roadway safe and free-flowing – safety patrollers can assist drivers and call for emergency responders when needed.
• 407 ETR is barrier-free – with no congestion-causing toll plazas.
• 407 ETR is the winner of multiple Service Quality Measurement (SQM) Group awards for Call Centre Excellence and Leadership, including First Call Resolution (the industry's most vital indicator), and best practices. The 407 ETR Call Centre is staffed by a large group of SQM-certified, "World Class" Customer Service Representatives.
• Customers have many account options such as paperless billing and pre-authorized payment.
• 407 ETR continues to appreciate customer loyalty as part of its "ETR Rewards" customer loyalty program.
• In addition to several national and international awards, 407 ETR was awarded the Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada's first-ever New Canadian Commercial Technology/Innovation or Research and Development Award for its vehicle fingerprinting system.
• The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators recently recognized the Highway 407 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment with a Police Partnership Award for the achievements of the Highway Safety and Toll Compliance Committee. 407 ETR, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and other Regional and Municipal partners work together with the OPP on the Committee to support many aspects of road safety and related research.

Background on the construction of Highway 407 ETR

When the lease to operate the highway was granted to 407 International in 1999, the agreement required the immediate extension of the highway in both the east and west and this was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.  All of 407 ETR's construction projects have been done in a manner that both ensures the quality of the roadway itself, and the safety of workers on the project and drivers coming through construction zones. 407 ETR takes a unique approach to highway construction – building lanes before traffic congestion can become a problem – while keeping interruptions to motorists to the absolute minimum. The investments the company has made in construction and the excellence the teams have brought to the work completed, have made 407 ETR well known for being reliable. 

In 1999, Highway 407 ETR was 643.25 lane kilometres (including the ramps and interchanges in place).  Today, it is 1,265.06 lane kilometres (including ramps and interchanges built by the company). 

407 ETR has effectively doubled the Highway's capacity, adding over 600 lane kilometres since 2001.

SOURCE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited