Revision as of 17:32, 24 April 2011 editFloydian (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, File movers, IP block exemptions, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers, Template editors38,594 edits Go figure. Useless excuse for a government in Ontario has deleted an old news release on a project that it just beginning. Fucking tards; I'm sure those news releases ate up the 640kB hard drives← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 02:26, 20 December 2024 edit undoSchreiberBike (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers310,420 edits Spelling fix, heath → health | ||
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{{short description|Controlled-access highway in Ontario}} | |||
{{Dablink|"The 404" redirects here. For other uses, see ].}} | |||
{{redirect|The 404}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} | |||
{{Good article}} | |||
{{Infobox road | {{Infobox road | ||
|province = ON | |province = ON | ||
Line 5: | Line 8: | ||
|route = 404 | |route = 404 | ||
|alternate_name = | |alternate_name = | ||
|map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=260|type=line|raw={{Misplaced Pages:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Ontario Highway 404}}}} | |||
|map = Ontario 404 map.svg | |||
| |
|map_custom = yes | ||
| |
|map_notes = Highway 404 highlighted in red | ||
|length_km = 50.1 | |||
| title = Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) counts | |||
|length_ref = <ref name="km">{{cite web |title = Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) Counts |author = ] |publisher = Government of Ontario |year = 2008 |url = http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/TrafficVolumes.nsf/tvweb?OpenForm&Seq=5 |access-date = December 18, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192209/http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/TrafficVolumes.nsf/tvweb?OpenForm&Seq=5 |archive-date = July 6, 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> | |||
| author = ] | |||
|established = 1977 | |||
| publisher = Government of Ontario | |||
| year = 2004 | |||
| url = http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/TrafficVolumes.nsf/tvweb?OpenForm&Seq=5 | |||
| accessdate = February 26, 2010}}</ref> | |||
|established = 1977{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} | |||
|direction_a = South | |direction_a = South | ||
|terminus_a = {{jcon|Hwy|401 |
|terminus_a = {{jcon|Hwy|401|con=DVP|contype=Toronto|city=Toronto}} | ||
|junction = {{jcon|Hwy| |
|junction = {{jcon|Hwy|407ETR|town=Markham}}<br />{{jcon|York|7|Highway 7|town=Richmond Hill|town2=Markham}} | ||
|direction_b = North | |direction_b = North | ||
|terminus_b = {{jcon|York| |
|terminus_b = {{jcon|York|8|Woodbine Avenue|town=East Gwillimbury}} | ||
|previous_type = Hwy | |previous_type = Hwy | ||
|previous_route = 403 | |previous_route = 403 | ||
Line 25: | Line 24: | ||
|next_route = 405 | |next_route = 405 | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''King's Highway 404''', also known as '''Highway 404''' and colloquially as ''' |
'''King's Highway 404''' (pronounced "four-oh-four"), also known as '''Highway 404''' and colloquially as '''the 404''', is a ] in the ] of ]. A continuation of the municipal ] (DVP) north of ], it connects ] with ]. The {{convert|50.1|km|mi|adj=on}} ] ] also connects with ] in ], which formed the northeastern ring road of the Greater Toronto Area until the opening of ] in 2016. Highway 404 provides access to the eastern edge of ], ] and ] and the western edge of ], in addition to the southern edge of ]. | ||
Metro Toronto (Metro) completed the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) to Sheppard Avenue in 1966. Metro initially planned extension of the DVP to ], northward the province would continue the route which was inaugurated as Highway 404. However, the province ending up decided that their new highway would also run south of Steeles, incorporating the existing segment of the Metro-built DVP between Sheppard and Highway 401. The first section south of Steeles opened in 1977, over what was formerly Woodbine Avenue. Over the next twelve years, the ] (MTO) undertook a continuous construction program to extend the highway to ] in Newmarket. This was completed on October 24, 1989. The route has undergone a periodic series of smaller extensions and widening in the years since, now travelling a further {{convert|15.5|km|abbr=on}} north to Woodbine Avenue near Ravenshoe Road in the town of East Gwillimbury. It has been proposed to further extend the freeway to southeast of ]. | |||
== Route description == | |||
] / ] interchange.]] | |||
Running parallel to ] approximately {{convert|15|km}} to the east, Highway 404 extends {{convert|36|km|abbr=on}} on a north–south orientation between Highway 401 and Green Lane. There are 14 interchanges along its length, mostly of the ] configuration. Exit numbers on the freeway start at 17, suggesting that the Don Valley Parkway was included in distance calculations when signing the exits; there are no exit numbers posted on the Don Valley Parkway. | |||
Highway 404 is one of several freeways in the ] (GTA) with ] (HOV) lanes; the southbound lane was one of the initial projects in the province and opened on December 13, 2005. The northbound lane opened on July 23, 2007. | |||
Officially, the ] (MTO) jurisdiction over the freeway begins as the opposing directions of travel diverge south of the Highway 401 interchange.<ref group="note" name="note1">This demarcation line is visible on the highway as a change in pavement quality and the use of different high-mast lighting</ref> From the eastbound 401 lanes, two lanes northbound are separated until past Sheppard Avenue. One lane merges with two lanes from the northbound DVP. From the westbound 401, one lane merges with the northbound lanes, making a total of five lanes northbound to Sheppard. The southbound 404 provides two lanes southbound to the DVP, one lane from the HOV southbound lanes, and two lanes separated by a barrier from the rest for access to the 401 east and westbound. To the east of the 404, is the Consumers Road office park. To the west of the 404, and just north of Sheppard Avenue is the large ], which has its own off-ramps connected to the southbound 404. | |||
== Route description == | |||
The highway continues directly north along the old Woodbine Avenue right-of-way to just south of Steeles Avenue, where it diverges to the west before continuing north. From just north of Sheppard, a northbound HOV lane is present alongside the centre median. Southbound, the HOV lane continues along the full length of Steeles to the 401, exiting to the DVP or the 401 westbound. Alongside the 404 to the east is an industrial warehouse and commercial office area, while on the west is a suburban subdivision of ]. Northbound, the highway is six lanes wide from Sheppard until Finch, where one diverges onto an off-ramp. The sixth lane re-emerges north of Finch. Southbound, the 404 is six lanes wide from Steeles south to Sheppard Avenue. | |||
] | |||
Running parallel to ] approximately {{convert|15|km}} to the east, Highway 404 extends {{convert|50.1|km|abbr=on}} on a north–south orientation between Highway 401 and Woodbine Avenue. There are 16 interchanges along its length, mostly of the ] configuration. Exit numbers on the freeway start at 17, suggesting that the length of the Don Valley Parkway was considered in distance calculations; until 2017, there were no exit numbers posted on the DVP.<ref name="TA1">{{cite map |title = Toronto & Area |cartography = ] |publisher = Peter Heiler Ltd |year = 2011 |isbn = 978-1-55198-213-7 |pages = |sections = T26–F30 |scale = 1:25,000 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/torontoarea0000unse/page/104 }}</ref><ref name="plan" /> | |||
A continuation of the municipal-controlled DVP, the ] (MTO) jurisdiction over the freeway begins as the opposing directions of travel diverge south of the Highway 401 interchange.<ref group="note" name="note1">This demarcation line is visible on the highway as a change in pavement quality and the use of different high-mast lighting</ref> | |||
At Steeles Avenue, the freeway enters the ]. To the east are industrial units, while on the west are residential suburbs. This land-use persists north to the Highway 407 ETR interchange, a multi-level ] with two ]s. North of Highway 407, the freeway crosses ], where the HOV lanes transition to standard lanes. The freeway passes west of ] and interchanges with 16th Avenue. The highway narrows and the central barrier ends; a grass median takes its place between the opposing lanes. The land-use density continues to drop, with the appearance of some open spaces and farms interspersed with industrial and commercial buildings. At 19th Avenue, the land-use is agricultural on both sides. Immediately south of Stouffville Road, the highway curves to the east before proceeding north. | |||
Northbound, two lanes from the DVP are joined by a third from the eastbound ] of Highway 401. These narrow to two lanes before merging with a single lane from westbound Highway 401 immediately south of Sheppard Avenue. An additional two lanes from eastbound Highway 401 converge and form a separate ] with no access to Sheppard.<ref name="maps.google.ca">{{Google maps | |||
| title = Highway 404 Northbound Lane Configuration Approaching Highway 401 Interchange | |||
| url = http://maps.google.ca/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario&t=k&ll=43.769296,-79.337318&spn=0.007097,0.01929&z=16 | |||
| access-date = April 26, 2011}}</ref> | |||
Southbound, the freeway is divided into two carriageways, both of which provide access to the DVP. The outer carriageway also provides access from Sheppard and to both directions of Highway 401, including the westbound express lanes, while the inner carriageway is intended for DVP-bound traffic. The HOV lane eventually merges with DVP-bound traffic, and also has an off-ramp via a tunnel to the Highway 401 westbound collector lanes.<ref>{{cite web |title = Highway 404 Southbound HOV Lanes at Hwy 401/DVP |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/image/detail.pdf |access-date = April 26, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140904134017/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/image/detail.pdf |archive-date = September 4, 2014 }}</ref> | |||
To the east of Highway 404 is the Consumers Road office park. To the west and north of Sheppard Avenue is ], which has its own connection with the southbound lanes attached to the Sheppard interchange.<ref name="TA1" /> | |||
] / ] interchange, showing the interchange with ], with ] and Consumers Road office park on the west and east sides of the freeway, respectively.]] | |||
North of Bethesda Road, the highway crosses through a green space area. Two small lakes are present on either side of the road. The larger, on the east is Simeon Lake. North of Aurora Road/ Wellington Street, the highway reduces in width to four lanes, which is its configuration north to East Gwillumbury, where the highway ends at Green Lane, York Regional Road 19. | |||
The highway continues directly north along the old Woodbine Avenue right-of-way to just south of Steeles Avenue. This section of the freeway is five lanes per direction (four general purpose lanes, one HOV lane near the central median), plus an auxiliary lane that emerges from an on-ramp of one interchange and then diverges at an off-ramp of the next interchange. Southbound, the HOV lane continues to the interchange at Highway 401. From just north of the Van Horne Avenue overpass, the leftmost northbound lane becomes an HOV lane. Alongside Highway 404 to the east is an industrial warehouse and commercial office area, while on the west is a suburban subdivision of ].<ref name="TA1" /> | |||
], just north of the highway's interchange with Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway. An HOV lane is visible in the southbound lanes.]] | |||
== History == | |||
=== Initial construction === | |||
A freeway east of Highway 11 was in the works as early as 1954, when the province extended Highway 48 south from ]. A large cloverleaf interchange was constructed with the Toronto Bypass, and plans formulated for a dual highway around the east side of Lake Simcoe, connecting with Highway 11 near ] or ]. This route was dropped when Metropolitan Toronto began planning for the northern extension of the DVP in 1957, as ] encroached upon ] north of Highway 401. The six-lane expressway was to follow the alignment of Woodbine from its southern terminus at ] to north of ], where the ] (DOH) would continue the road as a "new King's Highway".<ref name="plan">{{cite report | |||
] | |||
| title = Don Valley Parkway Extension, Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue | |||
At the interchange with Steeles Avenue which also includes a dedicated on-ramp from Woodbine Avenue (York Regional Road 8), the freeway enters the ] where it diverges to the west before continuing north, running parallel to Woodbine Avenue. To the east are industrial units, while on the west are residential suburbs. This land-use persists north to the Highway 407 ETR junction, a multi-level ] with two ]. At this point the freeway narrows and the central concrete barrier ends; a grass median taking its place between the opposing lanes. Immediately north of Highway 407, the freeway interchanges with ], and due to the close spacing of these two interchanges, the northbound off-ramp to Highway 7 is braided with the on-ramp from Highway 407 (and vice versa with the southbound ramps) to avoid weaving. The freeway passes west of ] (decommissioned as of November 2023)<ref name="button">{{cite web |last = Larkin |first = F.K. (Ted) |date = November 25, 2023 |title = Toronto Buttonville YKZ Municipal Airport in Markham now Closed |url = https://canadianaviationnews.ca/toronto-buttonville-ykz-municipal-airport-in-markham-now-closed/ |access-date = November 30, 2023 |website = Canadian Aviation News }}</ref> and then interchanges with 16th Avenue, and the close proximity to the airport's runways necessitates that this freeway segment is illuminated by low poles instead of the high mast lighting on the rest of the freeway. | |||
| publisher = Desjardines | |||
| year = 1957}}</ref> | |||
The land-use density continues to drop, with the appearance of some open spaces and farms interspersed with industrial and commercial buildings. By 19th Avenue, just north of the ] Canada headquarters in Markham, the land-use is agricultural on both sides of Highway 404. Highway 404 continues north, forming the eastern boundary of the municipalities of ], ] and ] and the western boundary of ]. North of Wellington Street, the highway reduces in width to four lanes, which is its configuration north through ].<ref name="backgrounder" /> The route continues, passing east of the community of ], where just a bit north Highway 404 will meet the future ], as it eventually curves northeast and terminates at an at-grade intersection with Woodbine Avenue immediately south of Ravenshoe Road (York Regional Road 32).<ref name="TA1" /> | |||
In 1959, the DOH announced that they would construct and maintain the new route once the DVP was completed to Highway 401 and designate it Highway 404.<ref>{{cite report | |||
The speed limit is {{convert|100|kph|abbr=on}} on most of its length, with the exception of the {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}} stretch between ] and the north end of the highway, where the speed limit is {{convert|110|kph|abbr=on}} since it was raised on April 22, 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |first1 = Dakota |last1 = Brasier |first2 = Simisola |last2 = Ikotun |date = March 29, 2022 |url = https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001886/ontario-raising-highway-speed-limits |title = Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |access-date = July 13, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
| title = Annual Report | |||
| publisher = Department of Highways | |||
| date = March 31, 1960 | |||
| section = Summary Report of Department Operations | |||
| page = 7}}</ref> | |||
The proposed route of the freeway was presented at a special delegation on December 13, 1960 by Harold Barry, a representative of the department.<ref>{{cite news | |||
== History == | |||
| title = New Highway Route Metro to Newmarket | |||
] | |||
| work = The Globe and Mail | |||
===Early studies=== | |||
| location = Toronto | |||
A freeway east of Highway 11 was planned as early as 1954, when the province extended ] south from ]. A large cloverleaf interchange was constructed with the Toronto Bypass, and plans formulated for a dual highway around the east side of Lake Simcoe, connecting with Highway{{nbsp}}11 near ] or ]. This route was dropped when Metropolitan Toronto began planning for the northern extension of the DVP in 1957, as ] encroached upon ] north of Highway{{nbsp}}401. The six-lane expressway was to follow the alignment of Woodbine from its southern terminus at ] to north of ], where the ] (DHO) would continue the road as a "new King's Highway".<ref name="plan">{{cite report |title = Don Valley Parkway Extension, Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue |publisher = Desjardines |year = 1957 }}</ref> | |||
| date = December 14, 1960 | |||
| volume = 117 | |||
| issue = 34,636 | |||
| page = 5 | |||
| quote = Highway Department officials tonight outlined the proposed route the new No. 404 Highway will follow from Steeles Avenue to the Newmarket area.}}</ref> | |||
Design work started in 1973<ref name="Davis" /> and construction began in March 1976 with the awarding of a ]6.9 million contract. This contract included construction of the Finch Avenue interchange and {{convert|4.5|km|abbr=on}} of six-lane freeway.<ref>{{cite news | |||
] interchange (which replaced an earlier interchange with ]) under construction in 1965. The northern leg of the junction would eventually be designated as Highway 404]] | |||
| title = Headache on the 401 | |||
| work = The Globe and Mail | |||
| location = Toronto | |||
| date = May 4, 1976 | |||
| page = 5}}</ref> | |||
Shortly thereafter, on April 20, Ernest Avenue and Van Horne Avenue were closed to traffic at Woodbine.<ref>{{cite news | |||
In 1959, the DHO announced that they would construct and maintain the new route once the DVP was completed to Highway{{nbsp}}401 and designate it Highway{{nbsp}}404.<ref>{{cite report |title = Summary Report of Department Operations |work = Annual Report |publisher = Ontario Department of Highways |date = March 31, 1960 |page = 7 }}</ref> | |||
| title = Road-Building Closes 2 Streets | |||
The proposed route of the freeway was presented at a special delegation on December{{nbsp}}13, 1960 by Harold Barry, a representative of the department.<ref>{{cite news |title = New Highway Route Metro to Newmarket |work = The Globe and Mail |location = Toronto |date = December 14, 1960 |volume = 117 |issue = 34,636 |page = 5 |quote = Highway Department officials tonight outlined the proposed route the new No. 404 Highway will follow from Steeles Avenue to the Newmarket area. }}</ref> During this time Metro opened another section of the DVP from Lawrence Avenue to Highway 401 on November 17, 1966, followed by the section north of Highway 401 to Sheppard Avenue on March 1, 1967. As completed at that time, after passing Sheppard Avenue the parkway ended and transitioned to the two-lane Woodbine Avenue.<ref>{{cite news |title = Parkway Moves North, Confusion, Too |first = Harold |last = Robinson |work = The Globe and Mail |date = November 18, 1966 |volume = 123 |issue = 36,487 |page = 1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Parkway Open to 401 Today |work = The Globe and Mail |date = November 17, 1966 |page = 2 }}</ref> | |||
| work = The Toronto Star | |||
| date = April 14, 1976 | |||
| section = Metro News / Editorials | |||
| page = B1}}</ref> | |||
The first section of Highway 404 between Highway 401 and Steeles Avenue opened in late 1977, including the flyover ramp from southbound Woodbine Avenue. The freeway was seperated by a grass median with a steel beam acting as a barrier between the lanes. Construction north of Toronto proceeded quickly, with the section from Steeles to Highway 7 opening in mid-1980. By the end of 1980, the freeway reached as far north as Major Mackenzie Drive; the segment north of Highway 7 was four lanes wide. The next extension to Stouffville Road (then known as the ] Side Road) was opened during the second week of December, 1981.<ref>{{cite news | |||
===Construction begins=== | |||
| title = York Councillors Fly Over Their Region's Traffic Chaos | |||
Design work on Highway{{nbsp}}404 started in 1973,<ref name="Davis" /> and construction began following the awarding of a ]6.9{{nbsp}}million contract in March 1976. This contract included construction of the Finch Avenue interchange, overpasses at McNicoll and Van Horne Avenues and {{convert|4.5|km|abbr=on}} of six-lane freeway between Sheppard and Steeles Avenues.<ref>{{cite news |title = Headache on the 401 |work = The Globe and Mail |location = Toronto |date = May 4, 1976 |page = 5 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title = Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario |year = 1975–1976 |page = xvii }}</ref> | |||
| first = Victoria | |||
Shortly thereafter, on April{{nbsp}}20, Ernest Avenue and Van Horne Avenue were closed to traffic at Woodbine.<ref>{{cite news |title = Road-Building Closes 2 Streets |work = The Toronto Star |date = April 14, 1976 |department = Metro News / Editorials |page = B1 }}</ref> | |||
| last = Stevens | |||
The existing Metro-built segment of the DVP between Sheppard and Highway{{nbsp}}401 was absorbed as part of the new provincial freeway. | |||
| work = The Toronto Star | |||
| date = January 21, 1981 | |||
| section = News | |||
| page = A29}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
]. Note the HOV lane on the left side of the carriageway.]] | |||
The section of Highway 404 north of Stouffville Road was the subject of considerable controversy when work began to clear the route on May 15, 1981 before the completion of an ]. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications was charged with violating the newly enacted ], which it contested came into effect after construction of the Highway 404 extension had begun.<ref>{{cite news | |||
The first section of Highway{{nbsp}}404 between Highway{{nbsp}}401 and Steeles Avenue opened in late 1977, including the flyover ramp from southbound Woodbine Avenue.<ref name="1976report">{{cite report |title = Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario |year = 1976–1977 |page = XV }}</ref> | |||
The freeway was separated by a grass median with a steel box beam acting as a barrier between the lanes. Construction north of Toronto proceeded quickly, with the contract for the section from Steeles to Highway{{nbsp}}7 being awarded in 1976 and the section opening on November{{nbsp}}10, 1978.<ref name="1976report" /><ref>{{cite press release |title = Highway 404 (Steeles Ave. to Highway 7) Opens Nov. 10 |author = Public and Safety Information Branch |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario |date = November 9, 1978 }}</ref> | |||
The next extension, to Stouffville Road (then known as the ] Side Road), was opened ceremoniously on December{{nbsp}}9, 1980 by minister ];<ref>{{cite press release |title = Official Opening of Highway 404 Between Major Mackenzie Drive and Gormley |author = Public and Safety Information Branch |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario |date = December 9, 1980 }}</ref> | |||
the segment north of Highway{{nbsp}}7 was four lanes wide.<ref>{{cite news |title = York Councillors Fly Over Their Region's Traffic Chaos |first = Victoria |last = Stevens |work = The Toronto Star |date = January 21, 1981 |department = News |page = A29 }}</ref> | |||
] at Highway 404's divided cross-section; from left-to-right is the southbound collector lanes, southbound express lanes including HOV lane, on-ramp (from Highway 401), and northbound lanes]] | |||
The section of Highway{{nbsp}}404 north of Stouffville Road was the subject of considerable controversy when work began to clear the route on May{{nbsp}}15, 1981 before the completion of an ]. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications was charged with violating the newly enacted ], which it contested came into effect after construction of the extension had begun.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Ministries at Loggerheads Over Extension of Highway | | title = Ministries at Loggerheads Over Extension of Highway | ||
| work = The Globe and Mail | | work = The Globe and Mail | ||
| location = Toronto | | location = Toronto | ||
| date = May 26, 1981 | | date = May 26, 1981 | ||
| page = 5 | |||
| id = {{ProQuest|1143169307}} {{subscription required}}}}</ref> | |||
Minister ] was charged with violating the act, and called upon to resign. The Minister did not resign, but paid a $3,500 fine. Despite the issues surrounding it, the extension between Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road was opened ceremoniously on the morning of August 10, 1982.<ref>{{cite news | |||
Minister James Snow was charged with violating the act, and called upon to resign. The Minister did not resign, but paid a C$3,500 fine. Despite the issues surrounding it, the extension between Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road was opened ceremoniously on the morning of August{{nbsp}}10, 1982.<ref>{{cite news |title = ((404 Extension Opens Aug. 10)) |first = John |last = Keating |work = The Toronto Star |date = August 3, 1982 |department = Neighbours |page = 11 |quote = The public is cordially invited to attend the official opening of Highway 404, from Gormley Road to Bloomington Side Road on Tuesday, August 10, 1982 at 11:00 a.m. on the southbound lanes of Highway 404 at Bloomington Side Road. }}</ref> | |||
As originally built by Metro, the Sheppard Avenue interchange with the parkway was originally a ], plus Fairview Mall Drive at the time ran only east-west directly north of the ] and also had its own on/off-ramps from the southbound lanes of Highway 404. In the 1980s the province removed the separate sets of Fairview Mall Drive and Sheppard Avenue ramps in favour of an on/off-ramp that fed directly to the shopping centre and an extension of Fairview Mall Drive whose eastbound lanes run south to meet with Sheppard Avenue. | |||
| title = 404 extension opens Aug.10 | |||
| first = John | |||
| last = Keating | |||
| work = The Toronto Star | |||
| date = August 3, 1982 | |||
| section = Neighbours | |||
| page = 11 | |||
| quote = The public is cordially invited to attend the OFFICIAL OPENING of Highway 404, from Gormley Road to Bloomington Side Road on Tuesday, August 10, 1982 at 11:00 a.m. on the southbound lanes of Highway 404 at Bloomington Side Road.}}</ref> | |||
Construction on the segment north of Bloomington to Aurora Sideroad was already in progress by this point. It was opened to traffic in late September 1985.<ref>{{cite news |title = New Stretch of 404 to Open |work = The Toronto Star |date = September 10, 1985 |department = Neighbors North Edition |page = NR12 |quote = Highway 404 should be open to the Aurora Sideroad by the end of September, a Ministry of Transportation official said last week.... Tenders for the next and final stage of the highway from the Aurora Sideroad to Davis Drive in Newmarket will be called in December and awarded in January the spokesman said. }}</ref> 16th Avenue, which had been widened from two to four lanes during the mid-1980s, received ramps connecting to the freeway south of that existing underpass.<ref name="transportation263">{{cite report |title = Report No. 2 of the Regional Transportation and Works Committee Meeting Held on February 2, 2000 |author = Transportation and Works Committee |publisher = Regional Municipality of York |date = February 10, 2000 |department = Appendix A – Background |page = 263 |url = http://archives.york.ca/councilcommitteearchives/pdf/report%202,%20february%2010.pdf |access-date = March 14, 2015 }}</ref> | |||
Construction on the segment north of Bloomington to Aurora Sideroad was already in progress by this point. It was opened to traffic in late September 1985.<ref>{{cite news | |||
=== Extension to Newmarket=== | |||
| title = New Stretch of 404 to Open | |||
Construction on the {{convert|6.5|km|abbr=on}} section from Wellington Street to Davis Drive began in early 1986, and the section opened to traffic on October{{nbsp}}24, 1989 at 8:30{{nbsp}}am. This final segment cost $22.1{{nbsp}}million, ending the continuous construction program undertaken since 1973 at a cost of $83.3{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="Davis">{{cite news |title = Ontario Studies Plan to Extend Highway 404 Farther North |first = Brian |last = Dexter |work = The Toronto Star |date = October 25, 1989 |department = News |page = A8 }}</ref> | |||
| work = The Toronto Star | |||
| date = September 10, 1985 | |||
| section = Neighbors North Edition | |||
| page = NR12 | |||
| quote = Highway 404 should be open to the Aurora Sideroad by the end of September, a Ministry of Transportation official said last week.... Tenders for the next and final stage of the highway from the Aurora Sideroad to Davis Drive in Newmarket will be called in December and awarded in January the spokesman said.}}</ref> | |||
Construction on the {{convert|6.5|km|abbr=on}} section from Aurora Road to Davis Drive began in early 1986, and the section opened to traffic on October 24, 1989 at 8:30 am. This final segment cost $22.1 million, ending the continuous construction program undertaken since 1973 at a cost of $83.3 million.<ref name="Davis"> | |||
{{cite news | |||
=== 1997-2007 expansion === | |||
| title = Ontario Studies Plan to Extend Highway 404 Farther North | |||
Studies and environmental assessments into various extensions began almost immediately after the completion of the route to Newmarket in 1989; it would take over a decade for any northward progression to take place. The completion of the route to Davis Drive was met with scorn as traffic in Newmarket rapidly increased as the ] grew with the new highway access. Municipal officials warned prior to the opening of the route that major traffic delays would be faced along Davis Drive. Then-mayor ] began an immediate push to widen Green Lane – at that time an unpaved rural route – into a bypass of the town.<ref>{{cite news |title = Highway 404 to Open to Newmarket Oct. 24 |first = Brian |last = Dexter |work = The Toronto Star |date = October 12, 1989 |department = North |page = 3 }}</ref> | |||
| first = Brian | |||
Traffic delays were also compounded at the southern end of Toronto, where drivers whom had previously made use of ], ] or ] would shift to make use of the new freeway.<ref>{{cite news |title = New 404 Extension May Worsen Traffic |first = Peter |last = Howell |work = The Toronto Star |date = October 24, 1989 |department = News |page = A7 }}</ref><ref name="ts1992" /> | |||
| last = Dexter | |||
| work = The Toronto Star | |||
| date = October 25, 1989 | |||
| section = News | |||
| page = A8}}</ref> | |||
By 1992, York Region was moving forward with plans to expand Green Lane into a four lane road, while the province was urged to consider extending Highway 404 north to it, and eventually around the east side of Lake Simcoe.<ref name="ts1992">{{cite news |title = Province Urged to Study Link of Highways in North of Region |first = Brian |last = Dexter |work = The Toronto Star |date = March 26, 1992 |page = NY2 }}</ref> The province studied this and other options over the following years, before a formal announcement was made by Minister of Transportation ] on June 22, 1998, along with York Region chairman ]. The plan called for an extension of Highway 404 north to Green Lane, and widening of Highway 9, the western extension of Davis Drive (now part of it after being ] and redesignated as ] east of Highway 400) outside town, to five lanes between Highway 400 and Bathurst Street. At the time over 20,000 vehicles used Davis Drive on an average day.<ref>{{cite news |title = Highways 404–400 Link a Go |first = Nicholas |last = Keung |work = The Toronto Star |date = June 23, 1998 |department = Greater Toronto |page = B1 }}</ref> | |||
=== Expansion === | |||
Studies and environmental into various extensions began almost immediately, while Highway 404 ended at Davis Drive (]); it would take over a decade for any northward progression to take place. In the interim period, work went into expanding the six lane freeway through Toronto and Markham. In early 1998, the MTO announced plans for two contracts to widen Highway 404 south of Highway 7. The first contract converted the grass ] into an additional lane in each direction with a central barrier between them. ] was also installed, replacing the unique ] used on the freeway. The second contract resulted in an additional lane in each direction on the outside of the existing lanes.<ref>{{cite news | |||
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The next year, the section between Highway 7 and Major Mackenzie Drive was widened to six lanes. | |||
| width = | |||
| image1 = Highway 404 Extension.png | |||
| width1 = 250 | |||
| caption1 = Preliminary clearing in a field north of Green Lane in April 2011 | |||
| image2 = Ontario Highway 404 approaching the future Doane Road interchange, during highway construction in June 2014.jpg | |||
| width2 = 250 | |||
| caption2 = Advanced construction work near Doane Road in June 2014 | |||
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In the interim period, work went into expanding the six lane freeway through Toronto and Markham. A combination interchange was built with the new Highway 407 ETR which opened in June 1997, which as a prerequisite required the realignment of some ramps from the nearby Highway 7 interchange.<ref name="opened">{{cite news |title = At Last – Opening Bell Tolls for the 407 |first1 = Bob |last1 = Mitchell |work = The Toronto Star |date = June 6, 1997 |department = News |pages = A1, A6 }}</ref> In early 1998, the MTO announced plans for two contracts to widen Highway 404 south of Highway 7. The first contract converted the grass ] into an additional lane in each direction with a central concrete barrier between them, with the inner lanes to eventually be converted into HOV lanes. ] was installed in the median barrier, replacing the unique ] that were mounted outside of the right shoulder of each carriageway. With the shift in road illumination completed as a prerequisite, the second contract would result in an additional lane in each direction on the outside the existing freeway south of Highway 407, making it ten lanes wide, with expansion of the southbound and northbound lanes completed in 2005 and 2007, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |title = Notice of Study Completion |author = Government of Ontario |work = The Toronto Star |date = May 21, 1998 |page = A8 }}</ref><ref name="HOV">{{cite journal |title = New Southbound High Occupancy Vehicle Lane and Tunnel on Highway 404 |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |journal = Road Talk |date = Winter 2006 |volume = 12 |issue = 1 |url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/transtek/roadtalk/rt12-1/ |access-date = April 26, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140414230401/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/transtek/roadtalk/rt12-1/ |archive-date = April 14, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="CTV News">{{cite news |title = HOV Lane Opens on Highway 404 Northbound |publisher = CTV News |date = July 23, 2007 |url = https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/hov-lane-opens-on-highway-404-northbound-1.249814 |access-date = April 26, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
In conjunction with the widening to add HOV lanes, improvements were made to the bottlenecked interchange with Highway 401. This involved the construction of a two-lane on-ramp receiving traffic from the eastbound Highway 401 express and collectors that would converge with Highway 404 northbound without access to Sheppard Avenue, while the existing single lane on-ramp for that same movement was retained for Highway 401 collector traffic to exit at Sheppard Avenue.<ref name="maps.google.ca"/> In early 2004, construction began on a new ramp from the Highway 404 southbound HOV lane to the Highway 401 westbound collectors, with the ramp consisting of a curved tunnel beneath the Highway 404's southbound general traffic lanes. To accommodate the HOV tunnel ramp, the directional ramp for general traffic from Highway 404 southbound to the Highway 401 westbound collectors was shifted further west with its entry just under the Don Mills Road overpass while also realigned to permit a higher speed. On December 13, 2005, the southbound HOV lane was opened to traffic. This was one of the three original HOV lanes in Ontario; the other two HOV lanes were on ] in Mississauga.<ref name="HOV"/> | |||
On June 23, 1998 the Minister of Transportation, ], made an formal agreement with the Region of York to extend and widen Highway 404. The MTO formally announced this project on August 28, 2000: a three contract project to widen and extend Highway 404. The first contract added an addition lane in each direction into the grass median from Major Mackenzie Drive to Bloomington Road. A second contract then extended those two lanes north to Aurora Sideroad. These two projects both began in the summer of 2001 and were completed in December. The third contract called for a four lane extension from Davis Drive to Green Lane and the reconstruction of Green Lane into a four-laned ] between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue.<ref>{{cite news | |||
Work on the northbound HOV lane began shortly thereafter, opening at 8:30 am on Monday, July 23, 2007. As the freeway crosses Highway 7, the southbound HOV lane started as an additional lane while the northbound HOV lane transitioned to a standard through lane as the rightmost general travel lane merged.<ref name="CTV News"/> | |||
] {{circa|2006}}. The southbound HOV lane was completed, while construction was still underway on the northbound HOV lane.]] | |||
], with ] in southeast quadrant. The freeway configuration is after its 2002 widening, with a narrowed grass median that would be paved over during the route's 2023 expansion.]] | |||
| title = Longer, Wider Highway 404 In the Works | |||
| first = Nicholaas | |||
| last = Van Rijn | |||
| work = The Toronto Star | |||
| date = August 29, 2000 | |||
| section = Greater Toronto | |||
| page = B3}}</ref> | |||
The extension to Green Lane opened on February 8, 2002.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| title = Drivers have more options in northern York Region after improvements to Green Lane East and Highway 404 | |||
| first = Patrick | |||
| last = Casey | |||
| publisher = Regional Municipality of York | |||
| work = News | |||
| date = February 8, 2002 | |||
| url = http://www.york.ca/Publications/News/2002/February+08,+2002,+Drivers+have+more+options+in+northern+York+Region+after+improvements+to+Green+Lan.htm | |||
| accessdate = April 22, 2011 | |||
| quote = York Region drivers can now access Green Lane East between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue in the Town of East Gwillimbury. The Regional Municipality of York today opened the stretch of road in tandem with the completion of a 2.9 kilometre extension of Highway 404 from Davis Drive and Green Lane East.}}</ref> | |||
In 1999, Highway 404 was widened to six lanes between Highway 7 and Major Mackenzie Drive, using the right-of-way afforded by the grass median.<ref name="backgrounder">{{cite news |title = Backgrounder: Highway 404 Extension – Davis Drive to Green Lane |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = February 8, 2002 |url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/news/regional/2002/020802b.shtml |access-date = April 26, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140415050153/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/news/regional/2002/020802b.shtml |archive-date = April 15, 2014 }}</ref> Ramps were added to connect ] (16th Avenue) with the segment of Highway 404 north of that junction, making it a full interchange.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://ogov.newswire.ca/getorg_e.html?okey=48678 |title = Government of Ontario, Canada - Newsroom |publisher = ogov.newswire.ca |date = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030816185446/http://ogov.newswire.ca/getorg_e.html?okey=48678 |accessdate = July 18, 2022 |archive-date = August 16, 2003 }} {{nonspecific|date=July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GONE/2003/06/19/c5134.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html |title = Eves government improves access to Highway 404 and traffic signals increased safety at 16th Ave. and Highway 404 |date = June 19, 2003 |publisher = ogov.newswire.ca |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030821062732/http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GONE/2003/06/19/c5134.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html |accessdate = July 18, 2022 |archive-date = August 21, 2003 }}</ref> On June 19, 2003, Transportation Minister and ] ] Frank Klees opened the new ramps, with ] MPP ] also in attendance, with traffic permitted onto the ramp following the ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |title = Eves Government to Open Highway 404/16th Avenue Interchange in Richmond Hill |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = June 19, 2003 |url = http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GONE/2003/06/19/c4986.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html |access-date = May 28, 2011 |quote = Transportation Minister and Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees and Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Thornhill MPP Tina Molinari will open the new Highway 404/16th Avenue interchange in Richmond Hill. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030715121539/http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GONE/2003/06/19/c4986.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html |archive-date = July 15, 2003 }}</ref> The MTO formally announced plans to alleviate traffic in Newmarket on August 28, 2000: a three contract project to widen and extend Highway 404. The first contract added an additional lane in each direction in the grass median from Major Mackenzie Drive to Bloomington Road. A second contract then extended those two lanes north to Aurora Sideroad. These two projects both began in the summer of 2001 and were completed in December. The third contract (see below) was an extension from Davis Drive to Green Lane.<ref name="backgrounder" /> The MTO formally announced plans to alleviate traffic in Newmarket on August 28, 2000: a three contract project to widen and extend Highway 404. The first contract added an additional lane in each direction in the grass median from Major Mackenzie Drive to Bloomington Road. A second contract then extended those two lanes north to Aurora Sideroad. These two projects both began in the summer of 2001 and were completed in December.<ref name="backgrounder" /> The third contract called for a four lane extension from Davis Drive to Green Lane and the reconstruction of Green Lane into a four-laned ] between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue.<ref>{{cite news |title = Longer, Wider Highway 404 in the Works |first = Nicholaas |last = Van Rijn |work = The Toronto Star |date = August 29, 2000 |department = Greater Toronto |page = B3 }}</ref> | |||
Construction of the southbound ] (HOV) lane began in early 2004 and was completed in December 2005. This project included a curved underpass tunnel to the Highway 401 westbound, and ] ] were added to reduce the weaving from incoming Sheppard Avenue traffic and outgoing traffic to Highway 401. South of the Sheppard Avenue overpasses, the HOV lane becomes two lanes, with the leftmost lane leading to 401 westbound collector lanes via a curved tunnel, while the right HOV lane traffic merges with Don Valley Parkway southbound traffic.<ref name="HOV">{{cite web | |||
This contract began shortly after the announcement in September 2000. The extension was opened to traffic on February 8, 2002, at a ceremony attended by ] MPP ] and York Region chairman Bill Fisch.<ref>{{cite news |title = New Highway 404 Extension to Benefit Newmarket |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = February 8, 2002 |url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/news/regional/2002/020802.shtml |access-date = April 26, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140415025754/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/news/regional/2002/020802.shtml |archive-date = April 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Drivers Have More Options in Northern York Region After Improvements to Green Lane East and Highway 404 |first = Patrick |last = Casey |publisher = Regional Municipality of York |work = News |date = February 8, 2002 |url = http://www.york.ca/Publications/News/2002/February+08,+2002,+Drivers+have+more+options+in+northern+York+Region+after+improvements+to+Green+Lan.htm |access-date = April 26, 2015 |quote = York Region drivers can now access Green Lane East between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue in the Town of East Gwillimbury. The Regional Municipality of York today opened the stretch of road in tandem with the completion of a 2.9 kilometre extension of Highway 404 from Davis Drive and Green Lane East. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120311033015/http://www.york.ca/Publications/News/2002/February+08,+2002,+Drivers+have+more+options+in+northern+York+Region+after+improvements+to+Green+Lan.htm |archive-date = March 11, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
=== Extension to Keswick === | |||
| title = Ontario’s High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Network: Summary of the Plan for the 400-Series Highways in the Greater Golden Horseshoe | |||
On May 16, 2006, the MTO announced plans to extend Highway 404 by {{convert|15|km}} from Green Lane to Ravenshoe Road at the south end of Keswick. The first contracts were awarded later that year for the construction of the northbound bridge over Green Lane,<ref>{{cite web |title = Report No. 8 of the Transportation and Works Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 21, 2006 |url = http://www.york.ca/NR/rdonlyres/vm6g5nsyd37efsdsklbvckum3z5zboksc3roqpmipkvr66uogrx23phj23wiizdd4qjt23frrpsgm2g7peyyqdyq6h/rpt+8+cls+15.pdf |author = York Region Transportation and Works Committee |publisher = Regional Municipality of York |access-date = April 26, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120311033004/http://www.york.ca/NR/rdonlyres/vm6g5nsyd37efsdsklbvckum3z5zboksc3roqpmipkvr66uogrx23phj23wiizdd4qjt23frrpsgm2g7peyyqdyq6h/rpt+8+cls+15.pdf |archive-date = March 11, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
| author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario | |||
followed by two structures over Mount Albert Road, west of Woodbine Avenue, begun in late 2008 and completed in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title = New Bridges Planned for Future Highway 404 Extension at Mount Albert Road |publisher = Daily Commercial News and Construction Record |date = November 10, 2008 |url = http://dailycommercialnews.com/Infrastructure/News/2008/11/New-bridges-planned-for-future-Highway-404-extension-at-Mount-Albert-Road-DCN031262W/ |access-date = April 16, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite sign |title = Mount Albert interchange bridge date stamp |year = 2009 |type = Bridge stamp (concrete) |location = Mount Albert overpass at Highway 404 }}</ref> | |||
| date = May 24, 2007 | |||
By April 2011, the extension had been cleared and graded.<ref>{{cite report |title = Highway 404 Extension Status Update |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = January 12, 2011 |url = http://www.york.ca/NR/rdonlyres/udddjlyflzm2h4kzbbrszlbvzlaxcutsjr4ktjnyscae23nquep5jaimaw4eorzw5b3xvhu4deyt74coreqehqx4kg/rpt+1+pres+Kandiah.pdf |access-date = April 26, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120311033032/http://www.york.ca/NR/rdonlyres/udddjlyflzm2h4kzbbrszlbvzlaxcutsjr4ktjnyscae23nquep5jaimaw4eorzw5b3xvhu4deyt74coreqehqx4kg/rpt+1+pres+Kandiah.pdf |archive-date = March 11, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
| url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/summary2007.htm | |||
Completion was originally scheduled for December 15, 2012, with landscaping work to continue the following spring.<ref>{{cite news |title = Highway 404 Extension to Open Next Year |first = David |last = Fleischer |publisher = Metroland Media |date = June 29, 2011 |url = http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1035430--hwy-404-extension-to-open-next-year |access-date = December 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = ((404 Extension to Be Delayed by at Least Another Year)) |publisher = 680 News |date = October 10, 2012 |url = http://www.680news.com/2012/10/10/404-extension-to-be-delayed-by-at-least-another-year |access-date = August 20, 2014 }}</ref> | |||
| accessdate = February 25, 2010}}</ref> | |||
However, due to soil conditions and utility relocation issues, the project was delayed by nearly two years. The C$99 million extension opened on September 17, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title = Highway 404 Extension Opens |first = Dave |last = Bradley |work = NewsTalk 1010 |date = September 17, 2014 |url = http://www.newstalk1010.com/news/2014/09/17/highway-404-extension-opens |access-date = September 17, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141223050831/http://www.newstalk1010.com/news/2014/09/17/highway-404-extension-opens |archive-date = December 23, 2014 }}</ref> | |||
=== Further widening for extension of HOV lanes === | |||
] has been completed along the extension]] | |||
On December 9, 2016, the MTO announced that the segment between ] and Stouffville Road would be widened from six to eight lanes with the additional inner lanes to be used as HOV lanes.<ref name="thewidening">{{cite press release |title = Ontario and Canada Partnering to Expand Highway 404 |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = December 9, 2016 |url = https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/12/ontario-and-canada-partnering-to-expand-highway-404.html |access-date = December 11, 2016 }}</ref> Much of the work involved paving over the remainder of the grass median and erecting a concrete barrier. A complex part of this project involved the staged replacement of the existing 16th Avenue and ] bridges that have been in service when the freeway opened; the old 16th Avenue underpasses had been widened twice (in 1988 for new ramps, and in 2002 for the freeway expansion) but still only permitted four lanes of an increasingly congested 16th to pass through, while the old Rouge River bridges were originally designed with two freeway lanes each and for the 2002 expansion they were restriped for three lanes by removing the ].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hwy404hov.info/ |title = Highway 404 Expansion, Highway 407ETR to Major Mackenzie Drive |publisher = Sphere Construction |access-date = April 19, 2022 }}</ref> A carpool lot was added at Major Mackenzie Drive at the start of the project. Construction north of Major Mackenzie Drive started in 2017 and was completed in 2021,<ref name="news2019">{{cite news |last1 = Persico |first1 = Amanda |title = What's Going on Here?: Widening Hwy. 404 at Stouffville Road |url = https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/9139505-what-s-going-on-here-widening-hwy-404-at-stouffville-road/ |access-date = January 24, 2020 |work = YorkRegion.com |publisher = Metroland Media |date = January 23, 2019 |language = en-CA }}</ref> while construction south of Major Mackenzie started in 2019 and was scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2024.<ref>https://www.hwy404hov.info/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> The southbound HOV lane south of Stouffville Road opened on September 16, 2024 and the northbound HOV lane opened on September 28, 2024. | |||
Work on the northbound HOV lane began shortly afterwards and was completed in July 2007, extending from north of Sheppard Avenue to Highway 7. At 8:30 AM EST on Monday, July 23, 2007, the northbound HOV lane opened to the public. | |||
The Highway 7 overpasses currently have an additional lane which is currently blocked off but will allow for northward expansion of the HOV lanes. | |||
== Future == | == Future == | ||
Long term proposals by the province call for Highway 404 to be extended to ], between ] and ]. This extension would follow a new alignment to ], east of which the freeway would incorporate the existing two lanes of Highway 48. It has drawn criticism from various environmental groups who claim it will only serve to accelerate ] north of Toronto.<ref>{{cite news |title = ((404 Extension a Highway to Sprawl, Environmental Groups Charge)) |first = Mark |last = Winfield |publisher = The Pembina Institute |date = April 13, 2006 |url = http://www.pembina.org/media-release/1220 |access-date = July 10, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = 2015 10-Year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program |publisher = Regional Municipality of York |date = February 26, 2015 |url = http://www.york.ca/wps/wcm/connect/yorkpublic/0d954ef4-12b6-4ac7-931d-39a3d1269dff/2015+Approved+Roads_8_11_year_Ver2.pdf?MOD=AJPERES |access-date = June 9, 2015 |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200108/http://www.york.ca/wps/wcm/connect/yorkpublic/0d954ef4-12b6-4ac7-931d-39a3d1269dff/2015+Approved+Roads_8_11_year_Ver2.pdf?MOD=AJPERES |url-status = dead }}</ref> | |||
On May 16, 2006 the MTO announced plans to extend Highway 404 by 15 kilometres from Green Lane to Ravenshoe Road at the south end of ]. The first contracts were awarded later that year for the construction of the northbound bridge over Green Lane,<ref></ref> | |||
followed by two structures over Mount Albert Road, west of Woodbine Avenue, begun in late 2008 and completed in 2009.<ref></ref><ref>Mount Albert interchange bridge date stamp</ref> {{as of|April 2011}}, the extension has been cleared and graded. Completion is planned for December 2012.<ref>{{cite web | |||
== Exit list == | |||
| title = Highway Expansion projects | |||
{{ONinttop|exit|unnum=no|maint=MTO|length_ref=<ref name="km" />}} | |||
| publisher = Government of Ontario | |||
{{ONint | |||
| url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/southern-highway-2007/expansion.shtml | |||
| municipality = Toronto | |||
| accessdate = May 18, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| lspan = 3 | |||
| type = trans | |||
| km = 0.0 | |||
| km2 = 0.5 | |||
| exit = 17 | |||
| road = {{Jcon|Toronto|DVP|dir=south|city=]}}<hr />{{jcon|Hwy|401|city=London|city2=Kingston}} | |||
| notes = Highway 404 southern terminus; freeway and exit numbers continue as Don Valley Parkway; Highway 401 exit 375 | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| km = 1.4 | |||
| exit = 18 | |||
| road = {{Jcon|hospital|]}} | |||
| notes = Direct southbound exit and entrance from ]; to ] | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| km = 3.5 | |||
| exit = 20 | |||
| road = ] | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| type = incomplete | |||
| division_special = ]–] boundary | |||
| location_special = ]–] boundary | |||
| km = 5.7 | |||
| exit = 22 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|8|]|dir=north}}<br/>] ({{jcon|York|95|nosh=y}}) | |||
| notes = Northbound exit and southbound entrance from Woodbine Avenue, full access interchange with Steeles Avenue | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| type = toll | |||
| division = York | |||
| dspan = 14 | |||
| location = Markham | |||
| km = 8.9 | |||
| exit = 26 | |||
| road = {{jcon|Hwy|407ETR|city=Hamilton|city2=Peterborough}} | |||
| notes = Highway 407 exit 83 | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location_special = ]–] boundary | |||
| lspan = 4 | |||
| km = 9.8 | |||
| exit = 27 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|7|]}} | |||
| notes = Formerly Highway 7 until April 1, 1999<ref>{{cite report |title = Highway Transfers List |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |date = April 1, 1997 |pages = 3, 4, 6–8 }}</ref> no access to/from Highway 407 | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| km = 11.8 | |||
| exit = 29 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|73|16th Avenue}} | |||
| notes = Eastbound off-ramp and on-ramp at 16th Avenue are located in NE quadrant, due to Buttonville Airport occupying SE quadrant. Originally no interchange; however, in 1988, ramps were added to connect with the freeway south of 16th Avenue, followed in 2003 with ramps connecting to the freeway north of 16th Avenue, making it a full interchange.<ref name="transportation263"/> | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| km = 13.8 | |||
| exit = 31 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|25|Major Mackenzie Drive}} | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| km = 15.7 | |||
| exit = 33 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|49|Elgin Mills Road}} | |||
| notes = Exit opened in 2004. | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location_special = ]–] boundary | |||
| km = 20.1 | |||
| exit = 37 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|14|Stouffville Road}} | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location_special = ]–]–] ] | |||
| km = 24.2 | |||
| exit = 41 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|40|Bloomington Road}} | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location_special = ]–] boundary | |||
| km = 28.4 | |||
| exit = 45 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|15|Wellington Street}} | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location_special = ]–] boundary | |||
| type = incomplete | |||
| km = 32.4 | |||
| exit = 49 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|74|Vivian Road, Mulock Road}} | |||
| notes = Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location_special = ]–]–] tripoint | |||
| km = 34.5 | |||
| exit = 51 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|31|Davis Drive|sign=hospital}} | |||
| notes = To ]; to ] | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| location = East Gwillimbury | |||
| lspan = 4 | |||
| km = 36.6 | |||
| exit = 53 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|19|Green Lane}} | |||
| notes = Former northern terminus of Highway 404; truck route to ] | |||
}} | |||
Long term plans call for Highway 404 to be extended to ], between ] and ]. This extension would follow a new alignment to ], east of which the freeway would incorporate the existing two lanes of Highway 48. | |||
{{ONint | |||
The extension has drawn criticism from environmental groups who claim it will only serve to accelerate ] north of Toronto.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| km = 38.3 | |||
| exit = 59 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|77|Queensville Sideroad|town=Queensville}} | |||
| notes = | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint|unbuilt | |||
| km = 40.5 | |||
| exit = 63 | |||
| road = ] | |||
| notes = Possible interchange location for proposed freeway | |||
}} | |||
{{ONint | |||
| km = 50.1 | |||
| exit = 65 | |||
| road = {{jcon|York|8|Woodbine Avenue|to=32|toname=Ravenshoe Road}} | |||
| notes = Highway 404 northern terminus | |||
}} | |||
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=incomplete,toll,trans,proposed}} | |||
== Notes == | |||
| title = 404 Extension a Highway to Sprawl, Environmental Groups Charge | |||
{{Reflist|group=note}} | |||
| first = Mark | |||
| last = Winfield | |||
| publisher = The Pembina Institute | |||
| date = April 13, 2006 | |||
| url = http://www.pembina.org/media-release/1220 | |||
| accessdate = July 10, 2010}}</ref> | |||
== |
== References == | ||
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
!Division | |||
!Location | |||
!km | |||
!] | |||
!Destinations | |||
!Notes | |||
|- | |||
|colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"|{{jcon|Hwy|404|nolink=y}} continues south as the ] ] | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="4" colspan="2"|] | |||
|0.5 | |||
|17 | |||
|{{jcon|Hwy|401}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|1.4 | |||
|18 | |||
|] | |||
|Access from southbound 404 to ] and from Fairview Mall to southbound 404 | |||
|- | |||
|3.5 | |||
|20 | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="2"|5.7 | |||
|rowspan="2"|22 | |||
|rowspan="2"|] / {{jcon|York|8|Woodbine Avenue}} | |||
|rowspan="2"|Northbound exit and southbound entrance from Woodbine Avenue, full access interchange with Steeles Avenue | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="17"|] | |||
|rowspan="3"|] | |||
|- | |||
|8.9 | |||
|25 | |||
|{{jcon|Hwy|407}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="2"|9.8 | |||
|rowspan="2"|27 | |||
|rowspan="2"|{{jcon|York|7}} | |||
|rowspan="2"|Formerly {{jcon|Hwy|7}} | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="4"|Markham – ] boundary | |||
|- | |||
|11.8 | |||
|29 | |||
|{{jcon|York|73|16th Avenue}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|13.8 | |||
|31 | |||
|{{jcon|York|25|Major Mackenzie Road}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|15.7 | |||
|33 | |||
|{{jcon|York|49|Elgin Mills Road}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="2"|Richmond Hill – ] | |||
|20.1 | |||
|37 | |||
|{{jcon|York|14|Stouffville Road}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="2"|24.2 | |||
|rowspan="2"|41 | |||
|rowspan="2"|{{jcon|York|40|Bloomington Road}} | |||
|rowspan="2"| | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="2"|Whitchurch-Stouffville – ] | |||
|- | |||
|28.4 | |||
|45 | |||
|{{jcon|York|15|Aurora Road}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Whitchurch-Stouffville – ] | |||
|32.4 | |||
|49 | |||
|{{jcon|York|74|Vivian Road / Mulock Road}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|rowspan="5"|] | |||
|34.5 | |||
|51 | |||
|{{jcon|York|31|Davis Drive}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|36.6 | |||
|53 | |||
|{{jcon|York|19|Green Lane}} | |||
| | |||
|- bgcolor="#ffdead" | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|{{jcon|York|77|Queensville Sideroad}} | |||
| | |||
|- bgcolor="#ffdead" | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|] | |||
|Possible interchange location for proposed freeway | |||
|- bgcolor="#ffdead" | |||
|50.1 | |||
| | |||
|{{jcon|York|8|con=32|Woodbine Avenue / Ravenshoe Road}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|colspan="6" align="center" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" | {{legend0|#d3d3d3|Closed| border=1px solid #000}} • {{legend0|#ffdead|Under construction| border=1px solid #000}} | |||
{{jctbtm|col=6}} | |||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}} | |||
{{Commons category}} | {{Commons category}} | ||
* | |||
* | |||
* | |||
{{Ontario Controlled Access Highways}} | |||
== References == | |||
{{Ontario King's Highways}} | |||
=== Notes === | |||
{{Reflist|group=note}} | |||
=== Sources === | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
] | |||
{{ONT 400 Hwys}} | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] |
Latest revision as of 02:26, 20 December 2024
Controlled-access highway in Ontario "The 404" redirects here. For other uses, see The 404 (disambiguation).
Highway 404 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Highway 404 highlighted in red | ||||
Route information | ||||
Maintained by Ministry of Transportation of Ontario | ||||
Length | 50.1 km (31.1 mi) | |||
Existed | 1977–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
South end | Highway 401 / Don Valley Parkway – Toronto | |||
Major intersections | 407 ETR – Markham Regional Road 7 (Highway 7) – Richmond Hill, Markham | |||
North end | Regional Road 8 (Woodbine Avenue) – East Gwillimbury | |||
Location | ||||
Country | Canada | |||
Province | Ontario | |||
Highway system | ||||
|
King's Highway 404 (pronounced "four-oh-four"), also known as Highway 404 and colloquially as the 404, is a 400-series highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. A continuation of the municipal Don Valley Parkway (DVP) north of Highway 401, it connects Toronto with East Gwillimbury. The 50.1-kilometre (31.1 mi) controlled-access freeway also connects with Highway 407 in Markham, which formed the northeastern ring road of the Greater Toronto Area until the opening of Highway 412 in 2016. Highway 404 provides access to the eastern edge of Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket and the western edge of Whitchurch-Stouffville, in addition to the southern edge of Keswick.
Metro Toronto (Metro) completed the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) to Sheppard Avenue in 1966. Metro initially planned extension of the DVP to Steeles Avenue, northward the province would continue the route which was inaugurated as Highway 404. However, the province ending up decided that their new highway would also run south of Steeles, incorporating the existing segment of the Metro-built DVP between Sheppard and Highway 401. The first section south of Steeles opened in 1977, over what was formerly Woodbine Avenue. Over the next twelve years, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) undertook a continuous construction program to extend the highway to Davis Drive in Newmarket. This was completed on October 24, 1989. The route has undergone a periodic series of smaller extensions and widening in the years since, now travelling a further 15.5 km (9.6 mi) north to Woodbine Avenue near Ravenshoe Road in the town of East Gwillimbury. It has been proposed to further extend the freeway to southeast of Beaverton.
Highway 404 is one of several freeways in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes; the southbound lane was one of the initial projects in the province and opened on December 13, 2005. The northbound lane opened on July 23, 2007.
Route description
Running parallel to Highway 400 approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the east, Highway 404 extends 50.1 km (31.1 mi) on a north–south orientation between Highway 401 and Woodbine Avenue. There are 16 interchanges along its length, mostly of the Partial cloverleaf A4 configuration. Exit numbers on the freeway start at 17, suggesting that the length of the Don Valley Parkway was considered in distance calculations; until 2017, there were no exit numbers posted on the DVP.
A continuation of the municipal-controlled DVP, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) jurisdiction over the freeway begins as the opposing directions of travel diverge south of the Highway 401 interchange. Northbound, two lanes from the DVP are joined by a third from the eastbound collectors of Highway 401. These narrow to two lanes before merging with a single lane from westbound Highway 401 immediately south of Sheppard Avenue. An additional two lanes from eastbound Highway 401 converge and form a separate carriageway with no access to Sheppard. Southbound, the freeway is divided into two carriageways, both of which provide access to the DVP. The outer carriageway also provides access from Sheppard and to both directions of Highway 401, including the westbound express lanes, while the inner carriageway is intended for DVP-bound traffic. The HOV lane eventually merges with DVP-bound traffic, and also has an off-ramp via a tunnel to the Highway 401 westbound collector lanes. To the east of Highway 404 is the Consumers Road office park. To the west and north of Sheppard Avenue is Fairview Mall, which has its own connection with the southbound lanes attached to the Sheppard interchange.
The highway continues directly north along the old Woodbine Avenue right-of-way to just south of Steeles Avenue. This section of the freeway is five lanes per direction (four general purpose lanes, one HOV lane near the central median), plus an auxiliary lane that emerges from an on-ramp of one interchange and then diverges at an off-ramp of the next interchange. Southbound, the HOV lane continues to the interchange at Highway 401. From just north of the Van Horne Avenue overpass, the leftmost northbound lane becomes an HOV lane. Alongside Highway 404 to the east is an industrial warehouse and commercial office area, while on the west is a suburban subdivision of North York.
At the interchange with Steeles Avenue which also includes a dedicated on-ramp from Woodbine Avenue (York Regional Road 8), the freeway enters the Regional Municipality of York where it diverges to the west before continuing north, running parallel to Woodbine Avenue. To the east are industrial units, while on the west are residential suburbs. This land-use persists north to the Highway 407 ETR junction, a multi-level combination interchange with two flyovers. At this point the freeway narrows and the central concrete barrier ends; a grass median taking its place between the opposing lanes. Immediately north of Highway 407, the freeway interchanges with Highway 7, and due to the close spacing of these two interchanges, the northbound off-ramp to Highway 7 is braided with the on-ramp from Highway 407 (and vice versa with the southbound ramps) to avoid weaving. The freeway passes west of Buttonville Municipal Airport (decommissioned as of November 2023) and then interchanges with 16th Avenue, and the close proximity to the airport's runways necessitates that this freeway segment is illuminated by low poles instead of the high mast lighting on the rest of the freeway.
The land-use density continues to drop, with the appearance of some open spaces and farms interspersed with industrial and commercial buildings. By 19th Avenue, just north of the Honda Canada headquarters in Markham, the land-use is agricultural on both sides of Highway 404. Highway 404 continues north, forming the eastern boundary of the municipalities of Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket and the western boundary of Whitchurch-Stouffville. North of Wellington Street, the highway reduces in width to four lanes, which is its configuration north through East Gwillimbury. The route continues, passing east of the community of Queensville, where just a bit north Highway 404 will meet the future Bradford Bypass, as it eventually curves northeast and terminates at an at-grade intersection with Woodbine Avenue immediately south of Ravenshoe Road (York Regional Road 32).
The speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph) on most of its length, with the exception of the 16 km (9.9 mi) stretch between Newmarket and the north end of the highway, where the speed limit is 110 km/h (68 mph) since it was raised on April 22, 2022.
History
Early studies
A freeway east of Highway 11 was planned as early as 1954, when the province extended Highway 48 south from Port Bolster. A large cloverleaf interchange was constructed with the Toronto Bypass, and plans formulated for a dual highway around the east side of Lake Simcoe, connecting with Highway 11 near Orillia or Gravenhurst. This route was dropped when Metropolitan Toronto began planning for the northern extension of the DVP in 1957, as subdivisions encroached upon Woodbine Avenue north of Highway 401. The six-lane expressway was to follow the alignment of Woodbine from its southern terminus at Lawrence Avenue to north of Steeles Avenue, where the Department of Highways (DHO) would continue the road as a "new King's Highway".
In 1959, the DHO announced that they would construct and maintain the new route once the DVP was completed to Highway 401 and designate it Highway 404. The proposed route of the freeway was presented at a special delegation on December 13, 1960 by Harold Barry, a representative of the department. During this time Metro opened another section of the DVP from Lawrence Avenue to Highway 401 on November 17, 1966, followed by the section north of Highway 401 to Sheppard Avenue on March 1, 1967. As completed at that time, after passing Sheppard Avenue the parkway ended and transitioned to the two-lane Woodbine Avenue.
Construction begins
Design work on Highway 404 started in 1973, and construction began following the awarding of a C$6.9 million contract in March 1976. This contract included construction of the Finch Avenue interchange, overpasses at McNicoll and Van Horne Avenues and 4.5 km (2.8 mi) of six-lane freeway between Sheppard and Steeles Avenues. Shortly thereafter, on April 20, Ernest Avenue and Van Horne Avenue were closed to traffic at Woodbine. The existing Metro-built segment of the DVP between Sheppard and Highway 401 was absorbed as part of the new provincial freeway.
The first section of Highway 404 between Highway 401 and Steeles Avenue opened in late 1977, including the flyover ramp from southbound Woodbine Avenue. The freeway was separated by a grass median with a steel box beam acting as a barrier between the lanes. Construction north of Toronto proceeded quickly, with the contract for the section from Steeles to Highway 7 being awarded in 1976 and the section opening on November 10, 1978. The next extension, to Stouffville Road (then known as the Gormley Side Road), was opened ceremoniously on December 9, 1980 by minister James Snow; the segment north of Highway 7 was four lanes wide.
The section of Highway 404 north of Stouffville Road was the subject of considerable controversy when work began to clear the route on May 15, 1981 before the completion of an environmental impact assessment. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications was charged with violating the newly enacted Environmental Assessment Act, which it contested came into effect after construction of the extension had begun. Minister James Snow was charged with violating the act, and called upon to resign. The Minister did not resign, but paid a C$3,500 fine. Despite the issues surrounding it, the extension between Stouffville Road and Bloomington Road was opened ceremoniously on the morning of August 10, 1982.
As originally built by Metro, the Sheppard Avenue interchange with the parkway was originally a Parclo AB2, plus Fairview Mall Drive at the time ran only east-west directly north of the shopping centre and also had its own on/off-ramps from the southbound lanes of Highway 404. In the 1980s the province removed the separate sets of Fairview Mall Drive and Sheppard Avenue ramps in favour of an on/off-ramp that fed directly to the shopping centre and an extension of Fairview Mall Drive whose eastbound lanes run south to meet with Sheppard Avenue.
Construction on the segment north of Bloomington to Aurora Sideroad was already in progress by this point. It was opened to traffic in late September 1985. 16th Avenue, which had been widened from two to four lanes during the mid-1980s, received ramps connecting to the freeway south of that existing underpass.
Extension to Newmarket
Construction on the 6.5 km (4.0 mi) section from Wellington Street to Davis Drive began in early 1986, and the section opened to traffic on October 24, 1989 at 8:30 am. This final segment cost $22.1 million, ending the continuous construction program undertaken since 1973 at a cost of $83.3 million.
1997-2007 expansion
Studies and environmental assessments into various extensions began almost immediately after the completion of the route to Newmarket in 1989; it would take over a decade for any northward progression to take place. The completion of the route to Davis Drive was met with scorn as traffic in Newmarket rapidly increased as the bedroom community grew with the new highway access. Municipal officials warned prior to the opening of the route that major traffic delays would be faced along Davis Drive. Then-mayor Ray Twinney began an immediate push to widen Green Lane – at that time an unpaved rural route – into a bypass of the town. Traffic delays were also compounded at the southern end of Toronto, where drivers whom had previously made use of Yonge Street, Bayview Avenue or Leslie Street would shift to make use of the new freeway.
By 1992, York Region was moving forward with plans to expand Green Lane into a four lane road, while the province was urged to consider extending Highway 404 north to it, and eventually around the east side of Lake Simcoe. The province studied this and other options over the following years, before a formal announcement was made by Minister of Transportation Tony Clement on June 22, 1998, along with York Region chairman Bill Fisch. The plan called for an extension of Highway 404 north to Green Lane, and widening of Highway 9, the western extension of Davis Drive (now part of it after being downloaded and redesignated as York Regional Road 31 east of Highway 400) outside town, to five lanes between Highway 400 and Bathurst Street. At the time over 20,000 vehicles used Davis Drive on an average day.
Preliminary clearing in a field north of Green Lane in April 2011Advanced construction work near Doane Road in June 2014In the interim period, work went into expanding the six lane freeway through Toronto and Markham. A combination interchange was built with the new Highway 407 ETR which opened in June 1997, which as a prerequisite required the realignment of some ramps from the nearby Highway 7 interchange. In early 1998, the MTO announced plans for two contracts to widen Highway 404 south of Highway 7. The first contract converted the grass median into an additional lane in each direction with a central concrete barrier between them, with the inner lanes to eventually be converted into HOV lanes. High-mast lighting was installed in the median barrier, replacing the unique luminaires that were mounted outside of the right shoulder of each carriageway. With the shift in road illumination completed as a prerequisite, the second contract would result in an additional lane in each direction on the outside the existing freeway south of Highway 407, making it ten lanes wide, with expansion of the southbound and northbound lanes completed in 2005 and 2007, respectively.
In conjunction with the widening to add HOV lanes, improvements were made to the bottlenecked interchange with Highway 401. This involved the construction of a two-lane on-ramp receiving traffic from the eastbound Highway 401 express and collectors that would converge with Highway 404 northbound without access to Sheppard Avenue, while the existing single lane on-ramp for that same movement was retained for Highway 401 collector traffic to exit at Sheppard Avenue. In early 2004, construction began on a new ramp from the Highway 404 southbound HOV lane to the Highway 401 westbound collectors, with the ramp consisting of a curved tunnel beneath the Highway 404's southbound general traffic lanes. To accommodate the HOV tunnel ramp, the directional ramp for general traffic from Highway 404 southbound to the Highway 401 westbound collectors was shifted further west with its entry just under the Don Mills Road overpass while also realigned to permit a higher speed. On December 13, 2005, the southbound HOV lane was opened to traffic. This was one of the three original HOV lanes in Ontario; the other two HOV lanes were on Highway 403 in Mississauga. Work on the northbound HOV lane began shortly thereafter, opening at 8:30 am on Monday, July 23, 2007. As the freeway crosses Highway 7, the southbound HOV lane started as an additional lane while the northbound HOV lane transitioned to a standard through lane as the rightmost general travel lane merged.
In 1999, Highway 404 was widened to six lanes between Highway 7 and Major Mackenzie Drive, using the right-of-way afforded by the grass median. Ramps were added to connect Regional Road 73 (16th Avenue) with the segment of Highway 404 north of that junction, making it a full interchange. On June 19, 2003, Transportation Minister and Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees opened the new ramps, with Thornhill MPP Tina Molinari also in attendance, with traffic permitted onto the ramp following the ceremony. The MTO formally announced plans to alleviate traffic in Newmarket on August 28, 2000: a three contract project to widen and extend Highway 404. The first contract added an additional lane in each direction in the grass median from Major Mackenzie Drive to Bloomington Road. A second contract then extended those two lanes north to Aurora Sideroad. These two projects both began in the summer of 2001 and were completed in December. The third contract (see below) was an extension from Davis Drive to Green Lane. The MTO formally announced plans to alleviate traffic in Newmarket on August 28, 2000: a three contract project to widen and extend Highway 404. The first contract added an additional lane in each direction in the grass median from Major Mackenzie Drive to Bloomington Road. A second contract then extended those two lanes north to Aurora Sideroad. These two projects both began in the summer of 2001 and were completed in December. The third contract called for a four lane extension from Davis Drive to Green Lane and the reconstruction of Green Lane into a four-laned arterial road between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue. This contract began shortly after the announcement in September 2000. The extension was opened to traffic on February 8, 2002, at a ceremony attended by York North MPP Julia Munro and York Region chairman Bill Fisch.
Extension to Keswick
On May 16, 2006, the MTO announced plans to extend Highway 404 by 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Green Lane to Ravenshoe Road at the south end of Keswick. The first contracts were awarded later that year for the construction of the northbound bridge over Green Lane, followed by two structures over Mount Albert Road, west of Woodbine Avenue, begun in late 2008 and completed in 2009. By April 2011, the extension had been cleared and graded. Completion was originally scheduled for December 15, 2012, with landscaping work to continue the following spring. However, due to soil conditions and utility relocation issues, the project was delayed by nearly two years. The C$99 million extension opened on September 17, 2014.
Further widening for extension of HOV lanes
On December 9, 2016, the MTO announced that the segment between Highway 407 and Stouffville Road would be widened from six to eight lanes with the additional inner lanes to be used as HOV lanes. Much of the work involved paving over the remainder of the grass median and erecting a concrete barrier. A complex part of this project involved the staged replacement of the existing 16th Avenue and Rouge River bridges that have been in service when the freeway opened; the old 16th Avenue underpasses had been widened twice (in 1988 for new ramps, and in 2002 for the freeway expansion) but still only permitted four lanes of an increasingly congested 16th to pass through, while the old Rouge River bridges were originally designed with two freeway lanes each and for the 2002 expansion they were restriped for three lanes by removing the shoulders. A carpool lot was added at Major Mackenzie Drive at the start of the project. Construction north of Major Mackenzie Drive started in 2017 and was completed in 2021, while construction south of Major Mackenzie started in 2019 and was scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2024. The southbound HOV lane south of Stouffville Road opened on September 16, 2024 and the northbound HOV lane opened on September 28, 2024.
Future
Long term proposals by the province call for Highway 404 to be extended to Highway 12, between Sunderland and Beaverton. This extension would follow a new alignment to Port Bolster, east of which the freeway would incorporate the existing two lanes of Highway 48. It has drawn criticism from various environmental groups who claim it will only serve to accelerate urban sprawl north of Toronto.
Exit list
The following table lists the major junctions along Highway 404, as noted by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
Division | Location | km | mi | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toronto | 0.0– 0.5 | 0.0– 0.31 | 17 | Don Valley Parkway south – Downtown Toronto Highway 401 – London, Kingston | Highway 404 southern terminus; freeway and exit numbers continue as Don Valley Parkway; Highway 401 exit 375 | |
1.4 | 0.87 | 18 | Sheppard Avenue | Direct southbound exit and entrance from Fairview Mall; to North York General Hospital | ||
3.5 | 2.2 | 20 | Finch Avenue | |||
Toronto–York boundary | Toronto–Markham boundary | 5.7 | 3.5 | 22 | Regional Road 8 north (Woodbine Avenue) Steeles Avenue (Regional Road 95) | Northbound exit and southbound entrance from Woodbine Avenue, full access interchange with Steeles Avenue |
York | Markham | 8.9 | 5.5 | 26 | 407 ETR – Hamilton, Peterborough | Highway 407 exit 83 |
Markham–Richmond Hill boundary | 9.8 | 6.1 | 27 | Regional Road 7 (Highway 7) | Formerly Highway 7 until April 1, 1999 no access to/from Highway 407 | |
11.8 | 7.3 | 29 | Regional Road 73 (16th Avenue) | Eastbound off-ramp and on-ramp at 16th Avenue are located in NE quadrant, due to Buttonville Airport occupying SE quadrant. Originally no interchange; however, in 1988, ramps were added to connect with the freeway south of 16th Avenue, followed in 2003 with ramps connecting to the freeway north of 16th Avenue, making it a full interchange. | ||
13.8 | 8.6 | 31 | Regional Road 25 (Major Mackenzie Drive) | |||
15.7 | 9.8 | 33 | Regional Road 49 (Elgin Mills Road) | Exit opened in 2004. | ||
Richmond Hill–Whitchurch-Stouffville boundary | 20.1 | 12.5 | 37 | Regional Road 14 (Stouffville Road) | ||
Richmond Hill–Aurora–Whitchurch-Stouffville tripoint | 24.2 | 15.0 | 41 | Regional Road 40 (Bloomington Road) | ||
Aurora–Whitchurch-Stouffville boundary | 28.4 | 17.6 | 45 | Regional Road 15 (Wellington Street) | ||
Newmarket–Whitchurch-Stouffville boundary | 32.4 | 20.1 | 49 | Regional Road 74 (Vivian Road, Mulock Road) | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |
Newmarket–Whitchurch-Stouffville–East Gwillimbury tripoint | 34.5 | 21.4 | 51 | Regional Road 31 (Davis Drive) | To Southlake Regional Health Centre; to Highway 9 | |
East Gwillimbury | 36.6 | 22.7 | 53 | Regional Road 19 (Green Lane) | Former northern terminus of Highway 404; truck route to Highway 400 | |
38.3 | 23.8 | 59 | Regional Road 77 (Queensville Sideroad) – Queensville | |||
40.5 | 25.2 | 63 | Bradford Bypass | Possible interchange location for proposed freeway | ||
50.1 | 31.1 | 65 | Regional Road 8 (Woodbine Avenue) to Regional Road 32 (Ravenshoe Road) | Highway 404 northern terminus | ||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
|
Notes
- This demarcation line is visible on the highway as a change in pavement quality and the use of different high-mast lighting
References
- ^ Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (2008). "Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) Counts". Government of Ontario. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
- ^ Toronto & Area (Map). 1:25,000. Cartography by MapArt. Peter Heiler Ltd. 2011. pp. 104, 320, 326, 332, 338, 344, 350, 355. §§ T26–F30. ISBN 978-1-55198-213-7.
- ^ Don Valley Parkway Extension, Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue (Report). Desjardines. 1957.
- ^ "Highway 404 Northbound Lane Configuration Approaching Highway 401 Interchange" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. "Highway 404 Southbound HOV Lanes at Hwy 401/DVP" (PDF). Government of Ontario. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- Larkin, F.K. (Ted) (November 25, 2023). "Toronto Buttonville YKZ Municipal Airport in Markham now Closed". Canadian Aviation News. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (February 8, 2002). "Backgrounder: Highway 404 Extension – Davis Drive to Green Lane". Government of Ontario. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- Brasier, Dakota; Ikotun, Simisola (March 29, 2022). "Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits" (Press release). Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- Summary Report of Department Operations. Annual Report (Report). Ontario Department of Highways. March 31, 1960. p. 7.
- "New Highway Route Metro to Newmarket". The Globe and Mail. Vol. 117, no. 34, 636. Toronto. December 14, 1960. p. 5.
Highway Department officials tonight outlined the proposed route the new No. 404 Highway will follow from Steeles Avenue to the Newmarket area.
- Robinson, Harold (November 18, 1966). "Parkway Moves North, Confusion, Too". The Globe and Mail. Vol. 123, no. 36, 487. p. 1.
- "Parkway Open to 401 Today". The Globe and Mail. November 17, 1966. p. 2.
- ^ Dexter, Brian (October 25, 1989). "Ontario Studies Plan to Extend Highway 404 Farther North". News. The Toronto Star. p. A8.
- "Headache on the 401". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. May 4, 1976. p. 5.
- Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways (Report). Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario. 1975–1976. p. xvii.
- "Road-Building Closes 2 Streets". Metro News / Editorials. The Toronto Star. April 14, 1976. p. B1.
- ^ Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways (Report). Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario. 1976–1977. p. XV.
- Public and Safety Information Branch (November 9, 1978). "Highway 404 (Steeles Ave. to Highway 7) Opens Nov. 10" (Press release). Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario.
- Public and Safety Information Branch (December 9, 1980). "Official Opening of Highway 404 Between Major Mackenzie Drive and Gormley" (Press release). Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ontario.
- Stevens, Victoria (January 21, 1981). "York Councillors Fly Over Their Region's Traffic Chaos". News. The Toronto Star. p. A29.
- "Ministries at Loggerheads Over Extension of Highway". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. May 26, 1981. p. 5. ProQuest 1143169307 (subscription required).
- Keating, John (August 3, 1982). "404 Extension Opens Aug. 10". Neighbours. The Toronto Star. p. 11.
The public is cordially invited to attend the official opening of Highway 404, from Gormley Road to Bloomington Side Road on Tuesday, August 10, 1982 at 11:00 a.m. on the southbound lanes of Highway 404 at Bloomington Side Road.
- "New Stretch of 404 to Open". Neighbors North Edition. The Toronto Star. September 10, 1985. p. NR12.
Highway 404 should be open to the Aurora Sideroad by the end of September, a Ministry of Transportation official said last week.... Tenders for the next and final stage of the highway from the Aurora Sideroad to Davis Drive in Newmarket will be called in December and awarded in January the spokesman said.
- ^ Transportation and Works Committee (February 10, 2000). Report No. 2 of the Regional Transportation and Works Committee Meeting Held on February 2, 2000 (PDF). Appendix A – Background (Report). Regional Municipality of York. p. 263. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- Dexter, Brian (October 12, 1989). "Highway 404 to Open to Newmarket Oct. 24". North. The Toronto Star. p. 3.
- Howell, Peter (October 24, 1989). "New 404 Extension May Worsen Traffic". News. The Toronto Star. p. A7.
- ^ Dexter, Brian (March 26, 1992). "Province Urged to Study Link of Highways in North of Region". The Toronto Star. p. NY2.
- Keung, Nicholas (June 23, 1998). "Highways 404–400 Link a Go". Greater Toronto. The Toronto Star. p. B1.
- Mitchell, Bob (June 6, 1997). "At Last – Opening Bell Tolls for the 407". News. The Toronto Star. pp. A1, A6.
- Government of Ontario (May 21, 1998). "Notice of Study Completion". The Toronto Star. p. A8.
- ^ Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (Winter 2006). "New Southbound High Occupancy Vehicle Lane and Tunnel on Highway 404". Road Talk. 12 (1). Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "HOV Lane Opens on Highway 404 Northbound". CTV News. July 23, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- "Government of Ontario, Canada - Newsroom". ogov.newswire.ca. Archived from the original on August 16, 2003. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- "Eves government improves access to Highway 404 and traffic signals increased safety at 16th Ave. and Highway 404". ogov.newswire.ca. June 19, 2003. Archived from the original on August 21, 2003. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (June 19, 2003). "Eves Government to Open Highway 404/16th Avenue Interchange in Richmond Hill". Government of Ontario. Archived from the original on July 15, 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
Transportation Minister and Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees and Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Thornhill MPP Tina Molinari will open the new Highway 404/16th Avenue interchange in Richmond Hill.
- Van Rijn, Nicholaas (August 29, 2000). "Longer, Wider Highway 404 in the Works". Greater Toronto. The Toronto Star. p. B3.
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (February 8, 2002). "New Highway 404 Extension to Benefit Newmarket". Government of Ontario. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- Casey, Patrick (February 8, 2002). "Drivers Have More Options in Northern York Region After Improvements to Green Lane East and Highway 404". News. Regional Municipality of York. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
York Region drivers can now access Green Lane East between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue in the Town of East Gwillimbury. The Regional Municipality of York today opened the stretch of road in tandem with the completion of a 2.9 kilometre extension of Highway 404 from Davis Drive and Green Lane East.
- York Region Transportation and Works Committee. "Report No. 8 of the Transportation and Works Committee Regional Council Meeting of September 21, 2006" (PDF). Regional Municipality of York. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- "New Bridges Planned for Future Highway 404 Extension at Mount Albert Road". Daily Commercial News and Construction Record. November 10, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- Mount Albert interchange bridge date stamp (Bridge stamp (concrete)). Mount Albert overpass at Highway 404. 2009.
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: CS1 maint: location (link) - Highway 404 Extension Status Update (PDF) (Report). Government of Ontario. January 12, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- Fleischer, David (June 29, 2011). "Highway 404 Extension to Open Next Year". Metroland Media. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
- "404 Extension to Be Delayed by at Least Another Year". 680 News. October 10, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- Bradley, Dave (September 17, 2014). "Highway 404 Extension Opens". NewsTalk 1010. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- "Ontario and Canada Partnering to Expand Highway 404" (Press release). Government of Ontario. December 9, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- "Highway 404 Expansion, Highway 407ETR to Major Mackenzie Drive". Sphere Construction. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- Persico, Amanda (January 23, 2019). "What's Going on Here?: Widening Hwy. 404 at Stouffville Road". YorkRegion.com. Metroland Media. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- https://www.hwy404hov.info/
- Winfield, Mark (April 13, 2006). "404 Extension a Highway to Sprawl, Environmental Groups Charge". The Pembina Institute. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
- "2015 10-Year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program" (PDF). Regional Municipality of York. February 26, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- Highway Transfers List (Report). Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. April 1, 1997. pp. 3, 4, 6–8.
External links
KML file (edit • help) Template:Attached KML/Ontario Highway 404KML is from WikidataControlled-access highways of Ontario | |||||||
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