Ontario is set to expand an 11-kilometre segment of Highway 400, increasing the corridor from six lanes to 10. Announced on October 5, 2026, the project will connect Highway 9 to the upcoming Bradford Bypass.
Four new lanes to bridge Highway 9 and the Bradford Bypass
The provincial government intends to add one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane and one general-purpose lane in each direction to the Highway 400 corridor. According to Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, this expansion will create a total of four new lanes. This project aims to integrate seamlessly with the existing HOV network located south of Highway 9, providing a more reliable transit corridor for both commuters and commercial logistics providers.
The engineering firm AECOM has been awarded the contract for the Highway 400 detail design. This technical phase covers essential infrastructure components, including drainage systems, storm sewage, lighting, signage, culverts, and interchange ramps. As the design process is now complete, the province expects to begin identifying early work opportunities as early as next year.
A component of Ontario's $31 billion highway investment
This widening project serves as a key piece of a larger $31 billion provincial commitment to build and repair highways, roads, and bridges across Ontario. The province views this specific 11-kilometre stretch as vital for the movement of goods and people, particularly as it impacts the Holland Marsh area. the province believes that the project will transform how business is handled through the region.
The expansion follows previous provincial efforts to increase capacity, such as the nine-kilometre widening of Highway 400 between King Road and Major Mackenzie Drive. By increasing the lane count to 10,officials hope to accommodate the growing number of families and expanding businesses relying on the province's highway networks. Minister Sarkaria noted that these changes are necessary to meet the rising daily demand for road access.
Linking York Region subways and GO Station enhancements
The Highway 400 expansion is designed to function as a link within a broader multi-modal transportation web.. Stephen Lecce,the MPP for King-Vaughan, highlighted that the project connects several major infrastructure pieces, including the Bradford Bypass and new subway lines entering York Region.
Susan Lahey, the MPP for York-Simcoe, emphasized that the expansion will strengthen the connection between local communities and the wider region. As reported in the announcement, the project is intended to work in tandem with GO Station enhancements and other station expansions to facilitate smoother movement for employees and customers. Lahey noted that the expansion means a more reliable highway and better connections across the corridor.
The timeline for relieving current Highway 400 delays
While the long-term goal is improved capacity, the immediate reality for commuters involves significant congestion. The region is currently experiencing delays on Highway 400 due to ongoing bridge work in Barrie and construction related to the Bradford Bypass.
It remains unclear how the "early work" phase starting next year will impact current traffic patterns or how long the transition period will last. Furthermore, while the province has identified the design partner in AECOM, the specific timeline for when the full 10-lane capacity will be operational has not been detailed. The announcement focuses heavily on the benefits of the expansion, but it offers little information regarding how the province will mitigate existing delays during the construction period.
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