Latest news with #Highway407
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Highway 407 East now toll-free from Pickering to Clarington
The provincially owned portion of Ontario's Highway 407 is officially toll-free as of Sunday. The move, announced as part of the Progressive Conservative government's budget last month, took effect June 1. The budget permanently removed tolls from the provincially operated Highway 407 East from Pickering to Clarington. Premier Doug Ford had promised the move earlier this year during the provincial election campaign as a way to provide relief for drivers. The province estimates removing the tolls would save daily commuters around $7,200 annually. A Ministry of Transportation report in 2021 projected those tolls would generate around $72 million in provincial revenue in 2024-25.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Ford government officially lifts tolls on stretch of Hwy. 407 East, saving drivers $7,200 a year
Premier Doug Ford is making good on a key election promise, with tolls officially lifted today on the stretch of provincially owned Highway 407 East. The move completes Ford's pledge to remove tolls from the Ontario-owned portion of Highway 407 between Brock Road in Pickering and Highway 35/115 in Clarington. . 'This is one of our campaign commitments that premier Ford made early on,' Ontario's Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, told CP24. 'It follows the trend of this government removing tools that were put in place by previous governments. First, we started with the 412, 418… and now this was the last remaining public toll in the province of Ontario, as of today, we are getting rid of it.' While the privately owned portion of the highway will still charge tolls, the change marks the end of tolls on any provincially owned highways in Ontario — a milestone that the government is touting as both economic relief and a way to ease traffic on the heavily congested Highway 401. The province estimates that daily commuters using the newly free section of 407 will save as much as $7,200 a annually. Ford, in a social media post, said: 'As of today, we've taken tolls off Highway 407 East, saving daily commuters $7,200 each year. That means that there isn't a single publicly-owned tolled highway anywhere in Ontario—and under our government, there never will be again.' As of today, we've taken tolls off Highway 407 East, saving daily commuters $7,200 each year. That means that there isn't a single publicly-owned tolled highway anywhere in Ontario - and under our government, there never will be again. — Doug Ford (@fordnation) June 1, 2025 The removal of tolls aligns with Ford's broader affordability agenda, which includes the permanent cut to Ontario's gas tax. In a previous news release, Ford said, 'I know that families and business owners are worried about rising costs, especially as U.S. tariffs threaten to raise the price of everyday essentials. That's why we're cutting the gas tax permanently and taking tolls off Highway 407 East, and that's why we'll always keep looking for ways to put more money back into the pockets of Ontario families.' In 2024, the government passed legislation banning the introduction of new tolls on provincial highways, effectively ensuring this approach remains in place long-term. 'We have to recognize… the 401 is a significant economic corridor for all of us,' said Sarkaria. 'Ultimately, we want to see people using more of our highways in a way that doesn't put any pressure or cost on that.' However, some experts argue that the most effective way to manage gridlock is not toll removal but rather congestion pricing — charging drivers more to use major routes like the 401 during peak times. A feasibility study on the tunnel beneath the 401 is also underway. 'The tunnel is something that we're moving forward with,' Sarkaria emphasized. 'We actually just issued the RFP on it a couple of weeks ago to understand the feasibility of it as well.' The government has teased that the tunnel could include transit options and help move people and goods more efficiently through the corridor. 'We're exploring an express tunnel, and that would be to move traffic as quickly as possible, with the possibility of transit underneath as well,' Sarkaria said. 'We know that in the next 10 to 15 to 20 years, travel times on the 401 will almost double. We're going to see significant population growth, and we need to be prepared for the future.' Sarkaria added, 'we need to think outside the box.'
CTV News
24-05-2025
- CTV News
Toronto man discovers $1,500 Hwy. 407 bill after criminals duplicated his licence plate
Man warns drivers after licence plate duplicated and used in several crimes including an expensive Highway 407 bill. Camilo Sanchez was at home last Tuesday night when two Toronto police detectives knocked at his door, flashed their badges at him and informed him the licence plates to his white 2018 Dodge Durango had been duplicated. The 33-year-old maintenance company owner said he couldn't believe what he was hearing. 'Then they told me that it's been used in violent crimes and theft around the city,' Sanchez recounted, adding he then answered a few questions to confirm he wasn't the suspect wanted in these alleged crimes and reviewed photos of the suspect vehicle that looked eerily similar to his own. A spokesperson for Toronto Police Service confirmed Sanchez's plates had in fact been duplicated but would not provide further comment due to the active investigation. After the detectives finished their line of questioning, Sanchez said he was told that he would need to get brand new plates at ServiceOntario, which cost $59. 'The next day I decided to go, and I was told by a lady behind the desk that there's nothing that she could do. I asked her, 'What's the problem?'' Sanchez told CTV News Toronto in an interview on Wednesday. 'She says that I have a 407 bill that's over $1,500 and I was honestly shocked.' Sanchez says he uses the 407 ETR every now and then but no trip has ever amounted to $1,508.42 for him. Plus, Sanchez says he regularly pays off the bills for the tolled highway. The 407 bill An image of the Hwy. 407 ETR bill Camilo Sanchez received after learning his licence plates had been duplicated. 'I was thrown by that,' Sanchez said, adding ServiceOntario would not issue him new licence plates until he paid off the charge. He says he offered the police report number to the desk worker, hoping she could provide some sort of resolution but was ultimately denied. Sanchez says he then turned to the 407 to see what they could do about the extenuating bill but was again hit with another roadblock. 'I called up the 407 and the lady on the phone said the same thing, 'My hands are tied. I need a physical report,'' Sanchez said. The Ministry of Transportation's office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that, per the Highway Traffic Act, the tolled highway can make a request for the ministry to deny a licence plate renewal should there be an unpaid bill at the time of renewal—or in Sanchez's case, at the time of ordering new plates. The ministry adds defaulted fines must also be paid in full prior to getting a new or personalized licence plate, as well as renewing a vehicle's permit. 'Should fraudulent activity occur with a licence plate (e.g. someone fraudulently manufactured duplicate plates), they would need to report this to then police and provide this information to the 407 ETR,' the email reads. 'If they are satisfied, the 407 ETR will request the denial to be removed from ministry records, allowing the individual to proceed with their renewal or issuance of new plates.' But Sanchez says he did not get that from police, just the report number tied to his case. 'The detectives never gave me a physical report, they didn't even tell me what to do,' Sanchez said. 'I'm trying to figure everything out on my own here.' After sharing his story to TikTok and getting some guidance from others, Sanchez went to Toronto Police headquarters last Friday but was told that he would have to wait up to 30 days for the report, which cost him $67. Luckily, by Friday afternoon the ordeal had come to an end after 407 agreed to waive the outstanding toll payments. CTV News Toronto spoke with Sanchez and he confirmed that he was told the waived fees would take about five business days to reflect online, after which he will finally be able to obtain his new plates. 'We've been in touch with the customer about this. It seems there was a misunderstanding of where the charges were coming from on the part of the customer. We've resolved the issue with the customer,' a spokesperson for 407 ETR said in an emailed statement. The 407 said they have started tracking the number of duplicated licence plates on its own as of spring 2024, so they can understand how prevalent this issue is. 'Fortunately, duplicated plates remain rare for our customers. This year, we have investigated 31 cases of duplication compared to a total of 1087 lost or stolen plates,' the email reads. All governing bodies contacted for this story urge any Ontarian who believes their plate has been duplicated to contact the authorities and return their plates to the transportation ministry. 'We also recommend that if your transponder has been stolen or gone missing to reach out to us to avoid any fraudulent charges,' the 407 said. The 407 also requires either the full police report or the MTO Declaration Report to confirm the impacted licence plate number and the date the report was filed before they can assist any driver. Under the Highway Traffic Act, those who use licence plates that are not authorized for their vehicle can incur a $140 fine.
CTV News
24-05-2025
- CTV News
Toronto man discovers $1,500 Hwy. 407 bill after criminals duplicated his licence plate
Man warns drivers after licence plate duplicated and used in several crimes including an expensive Highway 407 bill. Camilo Sanchez was at home last Tuesday night when two Toronto police detectives knocked at his door, flashed their badges at him and informed him the licence plates to his white 2018 Dodge Durango had been duplicated. The 33-year-old maintenance company owner said he couldn't believe what he was hearing. 'Then they told me that it's been used in violent crimes and theft around the city,' Sanchez recounted, adding he then answered a few questions to confirm he wasn't the suspect wanted in these alleged crimes and reviewed photos of the suspect vehicle that looked eerily similar to his own. A spokesperson for Toronto Police Service confirmed Sanchez's plates had in fact been duplicated but would not provide further comment due to the active investigation. After the detectives finished their line of questioning, Sanchez said he was told that he would need to get brand new plates at ServiceOntario, which cost $59. 'The next day I decided to go, and I was told by a lady behind the desk that there's nothing that she could do. I asked her, 'What's the problem?'' Sanchez told CTV News Toronto in an interview on Wednesday. 'She says that I have a 407 bill that's over $1,500 and I was honestly shocked.' Sanchez says he uses the 407 ETR every now and then but no trip has ever amounted to $1,508.42 for him. Plus, Sanchez says he regularly pays off the bills for the tolled highway. The 407 bill An image of the Hwy. 407 ETR bill Camilo Sanchez received after learning his licence plates had been duplicated. 'I was thrown by that,' Sanchez said, adding ServiceOntario would not issue him new licence plates until he paid off the charge. He says he offered the police report number to the desk worker, hoping she could provide some sort of resolution but was ultimately denied. Sanchez says he then turned to the 407 to see what they could do about the extenuating bill but was again hit with another roadblock. 'I called up the 407 and the lady on the phone said the same thing, 'My hands are tied. I need a physical report,'' Sanchez said. The Ministry of Transportation's office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that, per the Highway Traffic Act, the tolled highway can make a request for the ministry to deny a licence plate renewal should there be an unpaid bill at the time of renewal—or in Sanchez's case, at the time of ordering new plates. The ministry adds defaulted fines must also be paid in full prior to getting a new or personalized licence plate, as well as renewing a vehicle's permit. 'Should fraudulent activity occur with a licence plate (e.g. someone fraudulently manufactured duplicate plates), they would need to report this to then police and provide this information to the 407 ETR,' the email reads. 'If they are satisfied, the 407 ETR will request the denial to be removed from ministry records, allowing the individual to proceed with their renewal or issuance of new plates.' But Sanchez says he did not get that from police, just the report number tied to his case. 'The detectives never gave me a physical report, they didn't even tell me what to do,' Sanchez said. 'I'm trying to figure everything out on my own here.' After sharing his story to TikTok and getting some guidance from others, Sanchez went to Toronto Police headquarters last Friday but was told that he would have to wait up to 30 days for the report, which cost him $67. Luckily, by Friday afternoon the ordeal had come to an end after 407 agreed to waive the outstanding toll payments. CTV News Toronto spoke with Sanchez and he confirmed that he was told the waived fees would take about five business days to reflect online, after which he will finally be able to obtain his new plates. 'We've been in touch with the customer about this. It seems there was a misunderstanding of where the charges were coming from on the part of the customer. We've resolved the issue with the customer,' a spokesperson for 407 ETR said in an emailed statement. The 407 said they have started tracking the number of duplicated licence plates on its own as of spring 2024, so they can understand how prevalent this issue is. 'Fortunately, duplicated plates remain rare for our customers. This year, we have investigated 31 cases of duplication compared to a total of 1087 lost or stolen plates,' the email reads. All governing bodies contacted for this story urge any Ontarian who believes their plate has been duplicated to contact the authorities and return their plates to the transportation ministry. 'We also recommend that if your transponder has been stolen or gone missing to reach out to us to avoid any fraudulent charges,' the 407 said. The 407 also requires either the full police report or the MTO Declaration Report to confirm the impacted licence plate number and the date the report was filed before they can assist any driver. Under the Highway Traffic Act, those who use licence plates that are not authorized for their vehicle can incur a $140 fine.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Two people injured in two-vehicle crash in Whitby: OPP
Two people were injured following a two-vehicle crash in Whitby. (CP24) Two people are injured following a two-vehicle crash in Whitby. In an email to CTV News Toronto, Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says one person was taken to the hospital and another was treated on the scene after two vehicles crashed along Winchester Road near Highway 407. The conditions of the two people injured are unknown. There are several road closures in the area including Winchester Road, also known as Highway 7, between Baldwin Street and Ashburn Road.
