Ontario sets sights on Highway 413 construction, promises more roads [Video]

The Ford government is setting its sights on building its signature Highway 413 project next year, with plans for the controversial route to begin construction in 2025.

In a muddy field in Caledon, Ont., along the route of the proposed highway on Tuesday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and construction leaders promised the route would not be the last new major road.

“We are delivering on our promise to build Highway 413 with a plan to fix gridlock and get drivers across Halton, Peel and York regions where they need to go faster,” Ford said.

The 52-kilometre highway is set to run from Milton to Vaughan, cutting through Peel Region and the edge of the Greenbelt. It has been a signature Ford government policy and a lightning rod for opposition, particularly among environmental groups.

The province said it is currently doing fieldwork on the project, which includes borehole drilling, soil evaluations and bedrock studies. Land expropriations are expected to follow this …