Since July 2010, residents of York Region looking for a quicker commute north to Georgina have eagerly anticipated the 13-kilometre Hwy. 404 extension. Though this $87.5 million project from Green Lane to Ravenshoe Road was initially supposed to open to traffic by mid-December of 2012, the project is still under construction with recent reports indicating a fall 2014 opening.
Despite countless delays, according to Transportation Minister Glen Murray in a May 2013 letter to Georgina mayor Rob Grossi, good weather and unhindered construction production will make the opening of the extension by next fall possible.
As you can see in this picture taken this summer at Queensville Sideroad, construction of this four-lane highway is well underway. Once complete it’s 13 kilometers will boast three interchanges, four bridges and three carpool lots, making commuting into and out of York Region, the City of Toronto, and points north, much easier.
The highway, originally opened in 1977, was intended to be an alternative to Hwy. 400 along the east side of Lake Simcoe. And while the extension currently underway will certainly aid in further easing 400 traffic and make commuting much easier along the route, further calls have been made to extend the 404 as far north as into Brock Township. This further extension is unlikely to happen any time soon given the current delays, but the prospect of it is something to think about if you’re considering purchasing property along the corridor or points northward as a vacation home. Getting to and from the spot should be much easier as traffic on the 400 is eased and you may be able to enjoy much more time up there than you would otherwise.
Of course much depends on the current extension and the two construction contracts totalling $87.5 million, though Murray assured mayor Grossi that all efforts are being made to ensure the earliest completion date. The Ministry, however, hasn’t provided an official status report on the extension since 2011.
