Update: July 24, 2024 — Our crews are continuing to work around the clock and have made significant progress in bringing the water level down. We brought in an additional pump and now have two six-inch pumps running. One is continuously working to bypass water around the culvert and the other is set up in case of additional rain. We’re working as quickly and safely as possible to repair this damage.

TORONTO, July 19, 2024 — We sympathize with the residents on Cavendish Drive who have been displaced by the extreme rainfall this week.

407 ETR crews responded immediately to the unprecedented rainfall and have been working around the clock to drain an overflowed culvert and partially collapsed berm near Cavendish Drive. This berm (referred to also as an “embankment”) serves only to reduce sound levels from Highway 407 ETR.

This berm did not contribute to the blockage of the culvert. The berm partially collapsed due to the pressure of pooled water coming from Rambo Creek – away from the culvert and downhill toward the highway – after the culvert overflowed. The partially collapsed berm, which is downstream from the culvert, did not contribute to the culvert’s blockage, which occurred upstream and before the berm collapsed.

Water drainage is still underway as we work to ensure the embankment remains stable to maintain the safety of crews, residents and the broader public. Over the last 48 hours and counting, we have been able to steadily lower the water levels. We will remain onsite until it is fully cleared.

Specialized contractors have also been brought in to support recovery efforts, including heavy machinery such as excavators and a six-inch pump which are not part of our day-to-day operations.

Once the water level has gone down, we’ll be able to assess the impacted infrastructure and determine necessary repairs. We’ll also be able to mobilize a team of confined space experts to assist with the physical inspection. This operation can be a dangerous task, depending on what we encounter, and will require workers to enter the eight-foot in diameter pipe to inspect the infrastructure and determine what repairs might be required.

We recognize that resiliency is key as the GTA grapples with more frequent extreme weather events. If it is determined that 407 ETR’s infrastructure requires enhancements to better handle severe storms, rest assured, we will apply the key learnings.

407 ETR is committed to working as quickly and safely as possible to reduce the impacts of the flood.

We recognize the disruption to Cavendish Drive residents, and as members of the community, we’ve reached out to those hardest hit through their local councillor to offer our assistance. Concerned Cavendish Drive residents who have been displaced due to the flooding can connect with us at communications@407etr.com or through their local councillor.

About 407 ETR

Highway 407 ETR is an all-electronic open-access toll highway located in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. The highway spans 108 kilometres from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.

407 International Inc. is the sole shareholder of 407 ETR and is owned by:

• Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) through indirectly owned subsidiaries (50.01%).
• Cintra Global S.E., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A. (43.23%); and
• AtkinsRéalis Canada Inc., formerly SNC-Lavalin Inc. (6.76%).

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SOURCE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited