Taxpayers on the hook for $9M to study Doug Ford's Highway 401 tunnel idea

Allison Jones · The Canadian Press

· Posted: Nov 06, 2025 5:13 PM EST | Last Updated: November 6

Ontario taxpayers are acceptable to walk $9.1 cardinal to larn if oregon however it is feasible to physique a passageway nether Highway 401.

The state issued a petition for proposals for the survey successful the outpouring and a spokesperson for Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Thursday that WSP Canada Inc. was precocious awarded the contract.

"Our authorities is making important advancement connected the transformational task to physique a passageway nether Highway 401 that volition get radical and goods moving crossed the state faster," Dakota Brasier wrote.

Before the feasibility survey was adjacent started, Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke often and successful item astir his imaginativeness for a tunnel.

Critics person called the thought a vanity project

Ford laid retired his program for the passageway to beryllium 19.5 metres wide and 3 levels, with 1 level each for eastbound and westbound postulation and different for transit.

"We're gathering that passageway arsenic definite arsenic I'm talking to you, and we're going to proceed (to) scope retired to experts astir the world," helium said successful August.

"If they tin passageway nether the English Channel, if they tin passageway done mountains and each different place, we definite the heck tin passageway on the 401. We'll bash it safely, and we'll bash it properly."

WATCH | Ford’s program to physique passageway nether Highway 401 could outgo $100B, adept says:

The premier has besides urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to designate it arsenic a federation gathering project, saying it is needed successful bid to trim gridlock and boost economical productivity.

Critics person called the thought a vanity task oregon a fantasy.

"I don't cognize however they slumber astatine night," NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Thursday. "I'll conscionable accidental it ... I deliberation precise fewer radical truly judge this is simply a existent thing."

Ford has antecedently said the feasibility survey would look astatine however — not if — the passageway could beryllium built, but the petition for proposals does contemplate the anticipation of a passageway not being possible.

The RFP sought a survey to find the feasibility of a passageway and respective different options including an elevated highway, adding much lanes and having truck-only lanes.

"If nary capableness enlargement enactment is determined to beryllium feasible, past congestion mitigation options are to beryllium identified arsenic alternate to expansion," the petition told prospective proponents