Ontario Taking Next Step to Build New Highway 7

Province reducing gridlock between Kitchener and Guelph to help move people and goods faster

AURORA — The Ontario government is advancing construction on the Frederick Street bridge in Kitchener, marking another milestone in its plan to widen Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph. The new four-lane, 18-kilometre Highway 7 will help fight gridlock on the 401, save commuters time, and keep goods moving across the fast-growing regions of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph.

“The people of Kitchener-Waterloo have waited far too long for the new Highway 7,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “That is why our government has made it a priority to move this project forward. The new highway will be a game changer for the region, ensuring the efficient movement of people and goods across southern Ontario, with commuters spending less time sitting in traffic and more time doing what matters most to them.”

Starting February 28, contractors will be invited to submit proposals for the replacement of the Frederick Street bridge. To accommodate the future widening of Highway 7, the bridge will be lengthened to ensure traffic can flow in both directions with shoulders and multi-use paths accessible for both pedestrians and cyclists.

“Today’s announcement is an important next step in the provincial government’s commitment to move the Highway 7 project forward,” said Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener. “The construction of the Frederick Street Bridge will not only help connect residents and businesses between Kitchener, Guelph and surrounding areas but will also be key to moving goods throughout southern Ontario, across Canada and elsewhere in North America.”

Once complete, the new Highway 7 will include seven interchanges between Kitchener and Guelph, including a multi-level connection to Highway 85, a new crossing over the Grand River and improvements to local roads to help keep communities connected.

“I am pleased that the government is opening the next phase of Highway 7 improvements with the call out to contractors for proposals to replace the Frederick Street Bridge at the end of this month,” said Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. “We have seen and expect to see the continued growth of population and jobs in Waterloo Region, and planning ahead for that will benefit not just the local community but everyone commuting and transiting throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”

The new Highway 7 is among the more than 100 actions identified in the government’s Connecting the GGH: A Transportation Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Connecting the Southwest: A Draft Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario.

Quick Facts

Highway 7 is among the busiest two-lane highways in Ontario, with 26,000 vehicles travelling on it daily.
The replacement of the Frederick Street bridge is part of the third phase of building the new Highway 7.
The Greater Golden Horseshoe sees over $1.1 trillion in goods transported annually on its highways.
By 2051, population and employment figures in the Greater Golden Horseshoe are expected to grow from 10 million to 14.9 million people, and 4.9 million to 7 million jobs.
In 2023-24, the Ontario government is investing approximately $3.2 billion to repair and expand provincial highways, roads and bridges.

Quotes

“The construction of a new Highway 7 will make life much easier for thousands of daily commuters in our community. Our government is committed to reducing gridlock and commute times and this investment will go a long way toward achieving that goal.”

– Brian Riddell
MPP for Cambridge

“This project has been long awaited in Waterloo Region. I’m very pleased that our government has listened and is taking action. The eventual widening of Highway 7, beginning with this bridge, will save time and traffic headaches for many residents in our area.”

– Jess Dixon
MPP Kitchener South – Hespeler

“The replacement of the Frederick Street bridge is a significant step towards the completion of a new Highway 7. I am thankful for the provincial government’s continued action on this much-needed connection between Kitchener and Guelph. With our fast-growing communities, this transportation infrastructure is critical to the prosperity of our region and the province of Ontario.”

– Councillor Scott Davey
City of Kitchener

“Additional infrastructure is needed to keep our fast-growing region connected and moving. The replacement of the Frederick Street bridge and expansion of Highway 7 are critical to this work.”

– Karen Redman
Chair, Region of Waterloo

“Today’s announcement is great news for residents, businesses and workers in Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph, and a further demonstration that Minister Sarkaria and the Ontario government understand the critical importance of transportation infrastructure development in the region and across the province. As the leading voice of the industry, ORBA and its members are committed to working with our government partners to ensure the successful delivery of transportation infrastructure projects across Ontario.”

– Walid Abou-Hamde
CEO, Ontario Road Builders’ Association

Additional Resources

Cambridge Highway 401 Expansion: Project Website

Ontario Builds Project Map

Media Assets

Ontario Taking Next Step to Build New Highway 7

Quick Facts

Quotes

Additional Resources

Media Assets

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