The Doug Ford tunnel proposal under Highway 401 is very expensive and would take decades to complete. For years, I have argued for a monorail system above Highway 401 and the QEW. It would be an efficient, green and space-saving answer to Ontario’s traffic congestion. Doug Ford got my idea, but not quite right, and his tunnel plan misses the mark. Expanding transportation is a sound idea. However, tunnelling under Highway 401 brings huge financial and practical challenges.
Tunnelling: an expensive and slow process
Underground transportation projects have had very high costs and long timelines across North America. Boston’s “Big Dig” tunnel project is a good example. It was first estimated at $2.8 billion, grew to over $14.6 billion and took over 15 years to complete (CBC). The project aimed to ease congestion in the city. Instead, it ran into many technical problems, cost overruns and long delays. Risks like these make the Doug Ford tunnel idea under Highway 401 very daunting.
Similarly, Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel faced serious delays and budget increases. Its costs ended up between $3.4 billion and $4.1 billion, and it took several years longer than planned (The Seattle Times).
Closer to home, the Spadina Subway Extension in Toronto took almost a decade to complete. And that project was shorter and simpler than a tunnel under Highway 401 (CBC).
Why the Doug Ford tunnel would take decades
Tunnelling under one of North America’s busiest highways will almost certainly face the same kinds of obstacles. Environmental reviews, difficult ground conditions and disruption to existing roads and services will all add cost and time. As a result, the timeline could easily stretch into decades.
Realistically, the project could take decades to plan, approve and build. Meanwhile, drivers would still need traffic relief. There is also a real risk that the tunnel could be out of date by the time it opens.
So is this really the most effective answer when faster, more practical options exist?
The monorail: a faster, greener and cheaper option
Unlike a tunnel, my proposed monorail would run above existing highways. It would use the space the highways already occupy and keep disruption low. That would make it much cheaper and quicker to build than the Doug Ford tunnel. Also, running on green energy, the monorail would help cut Ontario’s carbon footprint. It offers a cleaner option than road widening or underground tunnels.
The first lines could run from Milton to Pickering along Highway 401, and from Hamilton to downtown Toronto along the QEW. Together, they would ease congestion without the huge costs and delays of a tunnel. Later, new lines along major corridors such as Erin Mills Parkway, Highway 400 and the DVP could add flexible transit options as the region grows.
What the Doug Ford tunnel debate means for GTA commuters
Traffic affects daily life across the GTA. For many families in Mississauga, Milton and Oakville, the drive to work shapes where they live, when they leave home and how much time they spend with their kids. Better transit along the 401 and the QEW would give these families real choices.
Transit also shapes how our cities grow. Good connections make it easier to build homes near stations and reduce pressure on local roads. I have written before about practical ideas for our region, including a practical solution to the housing crisis and a call for accountability on housing.
A monorail line along the 401 would also connect many of the places where people in our region live and work. Commuters from Milton, Mississauga and Pickering could leave the car at home more often. Over time, that would mean less time in traffic and more time for family, work and rest.
The future of transportation in Ontario
Traffic congestion and environmental concerns keep growing. So we need solutions that are practical and forward-looking. A monorail powered by green energy offers a sustainable option. It would encourage more people to use public transit and take cars off the road. Most importantly, it could be built in a fraction of the time and cost of the Doug Ford tunnel under Highway 401.
Talk to a Mississauga real estate agent
Do you have questions about this idea, or about how transit and commute times affect where you choose to live? I am happy to help. Please call me at 416 908 5600 or send me a message. And if this post helped you, you can also leave a Google Review. A. Q. Mufti, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage.
Disclaimer: this article was published on 17 January 2025 and reflects the information available at that time. Interest rates, prices, and government programs change, so check the current position before acting on anything here. It is provided for information only and is not financial, mortgage, tax or legal advice. A. Q. Mufti is a registered Sales Representative with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, Ontario, Canada.
