The province is currently assessing the soil composition and hopes to hold a market intelligence event in May with key stakeholders to discuss how to move forward with construction quickly and efficiently, officials said.

“Highway 413 is going to be a game-changer for the region,” Ford said in Caledon, Ont. “We’re already starting the process of acquiring the land. That will help us get started on time.”

The six-lane, 52-kilometre highway was one of Ford’s top campaign promises, but construction has stalled due to the threat of a federal environmental review.

Earlier this month, the federal and provincial governments reached an agreement that will allow the project to move forward without being subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act.

The proposed route would run from Halton to York Region, connecting Highways 401, 407 and 410. The province expects the project to save commuters about 30 minutes of travel time once completed, reducing congestion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Anastasia Chupina