(Brampton) - The Region of Peel is pleased to report that the Ontario Government and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has announced $3.4 billion in funding for transportation improvements across Southern Ontario, with a number of upgrades to take place in Peel. 

The five-year Southern Ontario Highways Program (SOHP) addresses traffic congestion and highway safety through highway construction and expansion.

"This program is designed to increase efficiency of goods and people movement, and improve air quality by reducing traffic congestion across Ontario," says Mitch Zamojc, Commissioner of Public Works.  "Reduction in traffic congestion also means shorter commute times and safer roads, which benefits all motorists."    

The terms of SOHP includes building 64 bridges and 130 kilometres of new highway, while repairing 200 bridges and 1,600 kilometres of existing highway across Southern Ontario.  SOHP initiatives that affect Peel Region include:

• Widening Highway 403 and providing High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from Highway 401 to Highway 407;
• A new interchange and widening of Highway 401 between Highway 410 and Hurontario Street;
• Extending Highway 410 beyond Bovaird Drive to Highway 10;
• Replacing the bridge on Highway 401 at McLaughlin Road;
• Resurfacing Queen Elizabeth Way from Mississauga Road to Highway 427;
• Reconstructing southbound express lanes on Highway 427 between Queen Elizabeth Way and Highway 401.

"We are thrilled that the provincial government is addressing highway transportation and safety in Peel under the terms of the highway program," says Nick Tunnacliffe, Commissioner of Planning. "To meet the growing demand of traffic and infrastructure in Peel and adjoining municipalities, there are more projects currently in planning that can be developed through funding from SOHP."

Transportation improvements that can benefit Peel and adjoining municipalities include:

• Highway 410 widening from Highway 401 to Queen Street;
• Highway 401 widening west of Hurontario Street;
• Highway 427 extension;
• Highway 10 widening through Caledon Village.

"The Region of Peel will work co-operatively with the MTO in regard to SOHP and help create a transportation system that meets the rapidly growing needs of Peel and our neighbouring communities," says Richard Paterak, Regional Councillor and Planning Committee Chair.  "An effective transportation system provides residents efficient mobility that helps improve quality of life."

The Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost-effectively administered over a larger geographic area. The Region of Peel serves more than one million residents in the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the Town of Caledon.

For more information on the Region of Peel, please call 905-791-7800, or visit our Web site at peelregion.ca.