News Releases
407 ETR keeps highway fast, safe and reliable with new lanes: Investment in construction and infrastructure now tops $1.2 billion
TORONTO, August 29, 2011, 2:00pm
407 ETR has announced the opening of a new lane in each direction between Highway 401 and Trafalgar Road. The new lanes (running 13 kilometres in each direction) will keep customers moving at a fast, safe and reliable speed on the world’s first all-electronic, open-access toll highway.
While one lane in each direction was officially opened, 407 ETR has built two lanes in each direction to accommodate future growth. The investment made this year to construct both lanes at the same time means the additional lanes can be opened in the future without major construction or inconvenience to customers. This approach to construction demonstrates 407 ETR’s commitment to the future needs of customers and provides an efficient method of adding capacity when it is needed.
As with all 407 ETR highway construction projects, the new lanes underwent an exhaustive inspection and audit to ensure compliance with all current Ontario Ministry of Transportation standards.
“We continue to meet our objective of relieving congestion on other GTA highways and local roads by investing significantly in construction and expansion,” said Jose Tamariz, 407 ETR President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our state-of-the-art technology allows our customers to enjoy a fast, safe and reliable trip without ever having to stop at congestion-causing toll booths.”
The new lane capacity responds to traffic demand along this important corridor of the highway and is one of many infrastructure projects over the past several years that have served customers well and kept traffic moving.
Construction started in late April 2011 and was completed in less than four months. 407 ETR’s total investment in construction and infrastructure since 1999 now tops $1.2 billion. All 407 ETR maintenance and expansion is completed at no cost to taxpayers.
407 ETR spans 108 kilometres across the top of the GTA – from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.
407 International Inc. is owned by Cintra Infraestructuras S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S. A. (43.23%), by indirectly owned subsidiaries of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (total 40%), and by SNC-Lavalin (16.77%).
BACKGROUND
407 ETR: AN ECONOMIC DRIVER
In addition to keeping traffic moving, construction and other improvements provide the surrounding communities and businesses additional capacity to support growth and development. 407 ETR construction projects also create thousands of local jobs, which has been especially important during the recent period of economic recession.
407 ETR: STATE-OF-THE-ART
407 ETR uses leading-edge technology to operate 198 unique barrier-free entry and exit points along the highway, eliminating the need to stop at toll booths and allowing traffic to continuously flow onto and off the highway. This technology also allows 407 ETR to efficiently process more than 380,000 trips on the highway on an average workday.
407 ETR: AWARD WINNING
407 ETR was recently recognized by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada for its vehicle fingerprinting system when it received the first-ever New Canadian Commercial Technology/Innovation or Research and Development Award. In addition to other national and international awards that have recognized the high level of service and innovation at 407 ETR, the company has also achieved ISO 9001:2008 status.
407 ETR: SAFE
407 ETR continues to have an excellent safety record, which provides drivers and their families reassurance when travelling on the highway. Close adherence to safety standards and a high-quality maintenance program have given the highway an exceptional safety record. 407 ETR monitors the highway at all times through an extensive fiber-optic network of CCTV cameras. Additionally, 407 ETR safety patrols monitor the highway around the clock.
407 ETR: ENVIRONMENTAL AND EFFICIENT
Vehicles that travel at a safe and consistent speed use less fuel than when travelling in stop-and-go traffic. As 407 ETR rarely has traffic congestion, drivers save money on gasoline and also reduce the environmental impact of driving by emitting less carbon dioxide (CO 2) per kilometre than vehicles idling in traffic. Tolling the highway manages congestion and maintains traffic levels in the busiest times and areas so that traffic continues to move at a fast, safe and reliable speed.
407 ETR: RECORD-SETTING TRAFFIC & CUSTOMER REWARDS
407 ETR recently set a new one-day traffic record on Thursday, June 30, 2011 when a record 460,293 trips were taken on the highway. The previous record was on the same day last year as drivers used 407 ETR to start off their Canada Day long weekend.
In addition to investments in new construction and infrastructure, 407 ETR continues to appreciate customer loyalty and has offered more than $50 million to customers as part of its “ETR Rewards” customer loyalty program. The company also offers periodic incentives to customers to sign up for automatic payment and paperless billing, which allow customers to review their bill electronically and have payment automatically processed to their credit card or bank account.
407 ETR: A COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
407 ETR goes beyond providing a fast, safe and reliable trip to its customers by supporting the communities it serves. 407 ETR is a very proud sponsor of the SickKids Foundation, SickKids Radiothon, United Way and York University. A significant part of the community support provided by the company comes from the dedication of employees and their commitment to community causes. 407 ETR also supports major and minor sporting events and activities in the GTA.
407 ETR spans 108 kilometres across the top of the GTA – from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.
407 International Inc. is owned by Cintra Infraestructuras S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S. A. (43.23%), by indirectly owned subsidiaries of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (total 40%), and by SNC-Lavalin (16.77%).
For more information, contact:
Kevin Sack
Vice President, Communications and Government Relations
905-264-5374
ksack@407etr.com
