This report highlights achievements that are improving people’s quality of life today and laying the groundwork for a prosperous tomorrow, such as:

  • building or rebuilding more than 7,900 kilometres of road and more than 950 bridges across the province over the last decade
  • more than $9.1 billion invested in GO Transit, including 10 new stations and 28,600 parking spots across the system
  • infrastructure investments in hospitals supporting nearly 26,000 jobs over the past year and more than 100 major projects at hospitals across the province complete or underway

Graphic - Transit and infrastructure

Graphic 1 – Shows the exterior of a school building and beneath the building there is text that says “650 new schools have been built or are underway since 2003.” Graphic 2 – Shows the exterior of a hospital and beneath the building there is text that says, “23 new hospitals have been built or are underway since 2003.” Graphic 3 – Shows a construction worker and next to them there is text that reads “Supported the creation of 100,000 jobs per year in construction.” Graphic 4 - Lists key investments in Ontario public transit infrastructure, which are: “A 63% increase in the GO Transit fleet including more than 200 new commuter rail cars and 47 new double-deck GO buses”; July 2013 – “Construction begins at Union Station for the Union Pearson Express. It will be in service by 2015.”; April 2013 – “25 new double-decker GO buses hit the road; April 2013 – “28 new train cars added to the fleet, with another 65 to be delivered between June 2016 – July 2017. This increases GO Transit’s fleet of train cars to 743”; March 2014 - “Metrolinx owns 68% of the rail corridor on which GO Transit operates.”; Summer 2014 – “Niagara service now operates May 16-19, June 27-September 1 and October 10-13. Barrie service now operates June 28-September 1.” Graphic 5 – Lists Ontario’s transportation investments, which are: Over 7,900 kilometres of new or repaired provincial highways since 2003

We’re undertaking the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history — as many as 100,000 men and women are at work across Ontario, laying the foundations for our province’s bright future.

Ontario’s 2013 Budget committed to making significant investments to modernize infrastructure over three years, supporting more than 100,000 jobs a year as we build highways, bridges, hospitals, transit corridors and schools. This will attract investment, increase our competitiveness and create jobs for today and tomorrow. It will also immediately improve everyday life for the people of Ontario.

After decades of government neglect, in 2003 Ontario’s crumbling infrastructure was having a negative impact on businesses, and making everyday life difficult. Only immediate and ongoing government action could put Ontario back on track.

Since 2003, the government has invested nearly $100 billion in public infrastructure. Through the 2013 Budget, Ontario committed more than $35 billion towards infrastructure over the next three years, including about $13.5 billion in 2013-14.

To get the best value for public dollars, the government, through Infrastructure Ontario, adopted the Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model. AFP has brought projects in on time and on budget, and Ontario is now a global leader for its prudent management of public infrastructure projects.

Progress can be seen all across Ontario. By maintaining and improving our bridges, highways and roads, businesses can get their products to market more quickly so they can grow and create jobs. Increased labour mobility resulting from more and better transit systems has supported a dynamic climate for Ontario businesses. And with less congestion and less pollution, people are healthier and have more time to work, spend time with friends and family, and strengthen their community.

Building and upgrading social infrastructure — our 23 new hospitals and 650 new schools — makes people healthier, and supports the goals of Ontario’s education system.

Public transit

We are investing more than $2 billion in transit infrastructure in 2013-2014, building on the nearly $20 billion we’ve invested in Ontario’s transit systems since 2003.

These record investment levels have made it easier to leave the car at home, saving people money and stress. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes it easier for people and goods to move, supporting a dynamic business environment.

Investing in transit also directly supports growth, productivity and jobs in Ontario’s key industries, such as the Bombardier factory in Thunder Bay.

Union Pearson Express

Metrolinx will build, own, and operate the Union Pearson (UP) Express, which will be in service in time for the 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games, connecting Canada’s two busiest transportation hubs — Union Station and Pearson International Airport. Construction began in summer 2012 and will be completed in 2014.

As part of the UP Express, a new three-kilometre spur line from the Kitchener (formerly Georgetown) GO line to Pearson Airport is being constructed. Construction on the spur line began in summer 2012 and will be completed by summer 2014. Construction of the spur line alone will create up to 1,200 jobs.

Work on all UP Express Stations is well underway with Bloor, Weston and Union Station beginning construction in 2013. Bloor and Weston Stations are anticipated to be completed by December 2014, with the station at Union to be in service by 2015.

Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan

Ontario has committed more than $9 billion for Metrolinx regional transit projects in Toronto and York Region, including:

  • $1.4 billion for the VIVA bus rapid transit project in York Region. This includes upgrading the existing VIVA system to provide 37 kilometres of bus-only lanes and new stations on Yonge Street, Highway 7 and Davis Drive. Construction is now underway, and on August 18, 2013, an approximately 2.5 kilometre-long segment of the VIVA BRT along Highway 7 in Markham from Bayview Avenue to Highway 404 opened
    • construction on the VIVA system will create approximately 14,000 jobs
  • $8.4 billion to support new transit in Toronto, including an extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line and the construction of three light rail transit lines, one of which — the Eglinton Crosstown — is underway and currently the largest public transit project in Canada

The Eglinton Crosstown is supporting thousands of design and construction jobs, and will provide lasting economic and quality of life benefits to Toronto and its surrounding region:

  • the 19 kilometre route will connect to 54 bus routes, 3 subway stations and the GO Train
  • in 2010, Metrolinx concluded a contract with Bombardier for the purchase of light rail vehicles for use on the light rail transit lines in Toronto, supporting hundreds of manufacturing jobs at its Thunder Bay plant
  • the Eglinton Crosstown tunnel liners are being fabricated by a company located in Barrie, while the Bombardier cars assembled in Thunder Bay will be tested in Kingston
  • in June, 2013, four tunnel-boring machines began digging the underground portion of the Eglinton Crosstown. Tunnelling is expected to be complete in 2016, with service beginning in 2020

Mississauga Transitway

  • Ontario is providing $65 million to the City of Mississauga to support its bus rapid transit project
  • Ontario is contributing another $48 million in GO Transit investments to Mississauga
  • the Mississauga Transitway consists of two project segments:
    1. the GO Transit portion from Winston Churchill to Erin Mills
    2. the Mississauga portion from Mississauga City Centre to Renforth Drive
  • this project will provide high-efficiency bus rapid transit service along Highway 403, Eastgate Parkway and Eglinton Avenue in Mississauga
  • when fully complete in 2016, the 18 kilometre Transitway will have 12 stations, beginning at Winston Churchill Boulevard in the West and ending at Renforth Drive in the East
  • construction is well underway on bus-only lanes and stations, with Phase 1 from the City Centre to Dixie Station scheduled to open in 2014.The Transitway project is expected to generate more than 2,500 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27 tonnes over its lifecycle

Bus Rapid Transit in Durham

  • Ontario committed $82 million in the 2008 budget to implement bus rapid transit service in Durham
  • the project is expected to create more than 800 jobs
  • construction is well underway. The BRT is expected to be in full service by 2016

Brampton ZÜM

  • Ontario has provided $95 million to the city of Brampton to support its ZÜM bus rapid transit project through the 2006 Move Ontario investment
  • the project is expected to create more than 2,800 jobs
  • Brampton Züm is currently operational along Queen Street, Main Street and Steeles Avenue (Phase I)
  • phase II of the project will see service launched along Bovaird Drive in 2014, with expanded service along Steeles Avenue in 2015 and Queen Street in 2016
  • full completion is expected by the end of 2017
  • since the initial launch of service along the Queen Street corridor, there has been an increase of 16 per cent in ridership along the corridor

Graphic - Lists key investments in Ontario public transit infrastructure, which are: “A 63% increase in the GO Transit fleet including more than 200 new commuter rail cars and 47 new double-deck GO buses”; July 2013 – “Construction begins at Union Station for the Union Pearson Express. It will be in service by 2015.”; April 2013 – “25 new double-decker GO buses hit the road; April 2013 – “28 new train cars added to the fleet, with another 65 to be delivered between June 2016 – July 2017. This increases GO Transit’s fleet of train cars to 743.”; March 2014 - “Metrolinx owns 68% of the rail corridor on which GO Transit operates.”; Summer 2014 – “Niagara service now operates May 16-19, June 27-September 1 and October 10-13. Barrie service now operates June 28-September 1.”

GO Transit

Since 2003, the provincial government has demonstrated its commitment to providing an affordable, reliable and comfortable alternative to vehicle travel in the GTHA by investing more than $9.1 billion in GO Transit. We’re progressing toward full-day, two-way service across the system to seamlessly connect communities, economies and people.

Since 2003, GO Transit has added:

  • 10 new stations and 30,000 parking spots across the system
  • 208 new rail cars and 152 new single-level  buses and 47 new double decker buses, building a modern, accessible, fuel efficient fleet that is serving more passengers
  • GO’s locomotive fleet has also expanded, including 57 new fuel-efficient MP40 locomotives that were put into service between 2008 and 2011

Investing in GO Transit has helped ridership increase every year. In 2012-13, there were 65.5-million passenger trips, up from 62.4-million passenger trips in 2011 — a five per cent increase.

Did you know?

Full-day, two-way GO connecting Toronto’s Union Station to Waterloo Region’s Kitchener Station and Waterloo Region’s Light Rail Transit will create a super-cluster of more than 12,000 technology companies, 2,800 start-ups, and 200,000 technology employees. This builds on Ontario’s strength as a top three destination in North America for information and communication technology companies.

We’ve continued to make progress across the GO Transit system in 2013-2014:

  • in January 2013, GO opened the new Acton Station on the Kitchener line
  • in April 2013, 25 new GO Transit double-decker buses went into service
  • in April, 2013, GO Transit and Metrolinx announced two major orders from Bombardier in Thunder Bay that will grow the bi-level train car fleet to accommodate more riders: the purchase of 28 new cars, with delivery expected in 2014, as well as the purchase of an additional 65 new cars for delivery between June 2016 and July 2017. This order will increase GO Transit’s fleet of train cars to 743
  • in May 2013, construction began on a new GO bus storage and maintenance facility in East Gwillimbury
  • as of June 2013 we added 263 new train trips along the Lakeshore line each week — off-peak GO trains that used to run hourly along the Lakeshore line between Aldershot and Oshawa are now running every 30 minutes, seven days a week
  • in August 2013, 700 parking spaces were opened at the new Ajax parking structure. The completed structure has more than 1,300 spaces
  • in September 2013, a new 6 level, 1,500 space parking garage at Erindale Station was opened
    • the Guelph GO Station’s Kiss and Ride, and the tunnel that connects it to the station and train platform, opened in October 2013
  • in March 2014, the Province announced that it is moving toward full-day, two-way GO Train service between Waterloo Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In addition, it was announced that two additional morning and afternoon peak period trips would be added by 2016

Municipal transit projects

  • Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension:
    • this project is expected to support an estimated 20,000 jobs during construction. The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension is expected to add 36 million transit trips and eliminate 30 million car trips per year
    • tunnelling on the project was completed in 2013 and station construction is currently underway
  • Ottawa Light Rail Transit Project:
    • Ontario is investing up to $600 million for the Ottawa light rail transit project — the single-largest provincial investment in transit infrastructure in the City of Ottawa’s history, which could support up to 3,300 jobs per year during construction
    • tunnelling has begun on the downtown tunnel. The downtown tunnel will be 2.5 kilometers long with three stations — Lyon, Parliament, and Rideau Station
    • the project will improve traffic flow in the city with the removal of more than half the buses from downtown and reduce the city’s fuel consumption by 10 -million litres every year
    • work on the future Maintenance and Storage Facility is currently underway, having begun on April 19, 2013
    • the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Project is expected to be fully operational in 2018
  • Waterloo Region’s Rapid Transit Project:
    • Ontario is investing up to $300 million for this rapid transit project, which will connect the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge with a combination of light rail and bus rapid transit services, ultimately connecting with GO Transit services
    • the project will support about 8,000 jobs across the province, and will be in service by 2017. Construction on the bus rapid transit portion is underway.
    • on July 10, 2013 the Region of Waterloo announced that agreements have been finalized among Waterloo, Metrolinx and Bombardier for the purchase of 14 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) to serve Stage 1 of Waterloo Rapid Transit service, with an option to purchase an additional 14 LRVs for Stage 2
    • on March 28th, the province and Region of Waterloo announced that a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) has been signed between the Region of Waterloo and the Government of Ontario

Union Station revitalization

Major improvements to Union Station are now underway. Ontario is investing up to $172 million for improvements that include:

  • a three-fold increase to the Metrolinx- owned GO Transit concourse space to make room for twice as many GO Transit passengers at Union Station by 2030
  • the purchase and refurbishment of the west wing of Union Station for the relocation of Metrolinx’s head office
  • constructing a new northwest PATH connection that will extend underground from Union Station up York Street to the existing PATH system in the Wellington Street area to relieve crowding and support future downtown growth
  • restoring the heritage features of the main building

The new York Concourse for GO Transit is expected to be completed in 2014.

Ontario has also committed $270 million for the redesign of GO Transit’s train shed roof and improvements to passenger train access at Union Station.

PRESTO fare card

To make it easier to take transit throughout the GTHA and Ottawa, the province has implemented PRESTO — an easy-to-use electronic fare system. It allows commuters to transfer seamlessly across multiple transit systems in the GTHA, and on OC Transpo in Ottawa. As of March 2014, more than one million riders are using their PRESTO cards to tap onto transit across the GTHA and in Ottawa.

Gas tax

Ontario dedicates two cents per litre of the provincial gas tax to municipalities for transit.

Did you know?

Compared to 2003, 2012 transit ridership increased by more than 193 million trips on public transit. That translates into approximately 161 million car trips not taken on our roads.

Through the 2013 Ontario Budget, the government passed the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act, which made the gas tax program permanent.

Since 2004, we have committed more than $2.7 billion in gas tax funding to Ontario municipalities, including $163.4 million for the current interim six-month program.

For the 2013-14 interim six-month program, 96 transit systems in 133 communities across the province will receive gas tax funding. These 133 communities represent nearly 90 per cent of the total population of Ontario.

Electric vehicles

The Electric Vehicle Incentive Program was launched in July 2010. So far, Ontario has provided more than 1,700 incentive payments and issued more than 2,000 green plates, providing single occupant access to the province’s high occupancy vehicle lane network.

Fourteen vehicle models are now eligible, up from nine models in 2012:

  1. Mercedes Smart Fortwo
  2. Nissan Leaf
  3. Mitsubishi i-MiEV
  4. Tesla S
  5. Ford Fusion Energi
  6. Ford Titanium
  7. Ford Focus Electric
  8. Chevrolet Volt
  9. Toyota Prius PHV
  10. Chevrolet Spark
  11. General Motors/Cadillac ELR
  12. Ford C-MAX
  13. Porsche Panamera SE
  14. BMW i8

The Electric Vehicle Charging Incentive Program was launched on January 1, 2013. So far, Ontario has provided incentives for approximately 300 eligible electric vehicle charging stations for residential/fleet use.

In 2013, new electric vehicle charging stations were opened at five GO stations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to make it easier for drivers to use environmentally friendly transportation. Aurora, Centennial, Lincolnville, Oakville and Whitby GO stations now offer charging stations for electric vehicles. Ajax, Burlington, Pickering, Erindale and Clarkson GO stations will open electric vehicle charging facilities in early 2014.

Ontario is also showing its commitment to electric vehicles (EV) through:

  • 19 research and development projects related to EV technology over the next six years in a partnership with Magna
  • production support of the Toyota RAV4 electric vehicle in Woodstock

Graphic – Lists Ontario’s transportation investments, which are: over 7,900 kilometres of new or repaired provincial highways since 2003.

Highways

Since 2003, Ontario has committed more than $19 billion to design, repair and expand provincial highways and bridges across Ontario.

Did you know?

Since 2003, Ontario has built or rebuilt more than 7,900 kilometres of highways and more than 950 bridges across Ontario.

In 2013-14, Ontario has created or sustained:

  • more than 17,000 direct and indirect jobs to repair, and expand southern provincial highways
  • more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs to repair and expand northern provincial highways

High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are now in use on highways 403 and 404 (GTA), 417 (Ottawa) and the Queen Elizabeth Way (Halton Region).

Did you know?

Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America.

Nineteen highway service centres have been redeveloped to provide travellers with reliable access to fuel, modern amenities, restaurants, enhanced tourism information and upgraded, accessible comfort facilities. Three of these opened in 2013, and only one service centre is left for redevelopment.

 

Small, Rural and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund

The 2013 Budget  set aside $100 million to help small, rural and northern communities make the road, bridge, water and wastewater infrastructure investments that are required to support economic growth and job creation. After working with municipalities to establish a framework for funding, the province awarded $96 million for projects in 87 municipalities across Ontario, including 20 projects submitted under the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative and 67 projects under the Small, Rural and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund (SRNMIF).

In addition, the province provided $4 million to support asset management planning in smaller communities. Local governments will award contracts funded under SRNMIF and will begin work over the spring and summer of 2014, with these  projects reaching completion by the end of 2015.

Windsor-Detroit Tunnel

Improvements to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Canadian Plaza will meet anticipated future demand and help separate cross-border traffic, reducing congestion in downtown Windsor. The detailed design of the Canadian plaza began in fall 2011. Construction started in September 2012 and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2014. This project is part of the federal-provincial Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy.

The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway

Construction started on this $1.4 billion investment in August 2011. Since then, it has made progress in key areas such as demolition, excavation, tunnel and bridge construction, highway construction, utility relocation, and species-at-risk relocation.

The new Parkway is starting to take shape and benefit adjacent communities with some of the permanent structures being opened to the travelling public, including a section of Highway 3, two bridges, one tunnel and a multi-lane roundabout to traffic.

Additionally, some of the permanent features have been installed including landscape plantings and noise walls. It is anticipated that the Highway 401 portion of the Parkway will be open to traffic by the end of the year.

Graphic 1 – Shows the exterior of a school building and beneath the building there is text that says “650 new schools have been built or are underway since 2003.” Graphic 2 – Shows the exterior of a hospital and beneath the building there is text that says, “23 new hospitals have been built or are underway since 2003.” Graphic 3 – Shows a construction worker and next to them there is text that reads “Supported the creation of 100,000 jobs per year in construction.”

Schools

Since 2003, improving Ontario’s education infrastructure has created and sustained about 16,000 jobs every year.

Ontario launched Good Places to Learn in 2005 to renovate and repair schools, build additions, and fund new school construction. Ontario has invested $12 billion in school infrastructure since 2003, including nearly 650 new schools (80 of which have been completed since 2012), more than 620 additions and renovations, and 27,000 repair and renewal projects. Ontario has also helped make more than 2,600 publicly funded schools more energy efficient.

Hospitals

Since 2003, 23 new hospitals have been built or are under construction — three of them since 2013. As part of our effort to transform health care and provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time, Ontario has invested more than $21 billion in health care infrastructure since 2003.

In 2013-14, provincial infrastructure investments in our hospitals have supported nearly 26,000 jobs. Construction is moving forward or is complete for more than 100 major projects at hospitals across the province.

Find health and wellness infrastructure projects

Courthouses

Since 2003, Ontario has built and significantly renovated or expanded 28 courthouses across the province. This includes five new consolidated courthouses, which are providing modern, efficient, and accessible justice services. They are also boosting regional economies by creating and supporting hundreds of jobs.

The Durham Region Courthouse, which opened in 2010, was the first of these new, state-of-the-art, consolidated facilities. In 2013, courthouses in Quinte and Waterloo Region were completed. The Elgin County Courthouse in St. Thomas opened in March 2014, and will be followed by the Thunder Bay Courthouse in April 2014.

Public Safety

The government has invested more than $1.6 billion in modernizing public safety infrastructure across the province, including:

  • South West Detention Centre: located in Windsor, the centre is scheduled to open in spring 2014. The government invested $247 million in the project
  • Toronto South Detention Centre: this new facility, on the site of the former Mimico Correctional Centre, addresses Ontario’s current and future inmate capacity needs. Inmates moved into the facility in early 2014. The government invested  $594 million in this public safety project
  • Forensic Services and Coroners Complex: this complex replaced the existing Office of the Chief Coroner facilities in downtown Toronto and its associated offices in Guelph and Brampton. The Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Services also moved into the facility. Co-locating these creates a facility that is efficient, secure and maintains the integrity of the criminal investigations and provincial medico-legal death investigations. The government’s investment in this public safety initiative totals $497 million
  • Ontario Provincial Police Modernization Project: under the OPP modernization project, the provincial government replaced 18 detachments, regional headquarters and forensic identification services in 16 communities across the province. The government invested $293 million in this public safety project

Pan American and Parapan American Games

The 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games (Games) will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Canada, spanning 10,000 square kilometres and 15 host municipalities. The infrastructure we are building to host the Games is boosting the regional economy today and will provide a lasting benefit to communities.

The Athletes’ Village project is revitalizing the West Don Lands — a part of downtown Toronto that has been underused for a long time. Hosting the Games will accelerate the project by up to 15 years. As the host province, Ontario is investing $709 million ($514 million to design, build and finance the project and $195 million in site preparation and transaction costs) to create a sustainable mixed-use riverside community.

In December 2013, the Village reached an important milestone with the topping off of the structures. Construction is more than 80 per cent complete, on budget, and will be ready in time for the Games.

Following the Games, the Village will become a mixed-use community that includes the Corktown Commons, Toronto’s newest green space, affordable and accessible housing, a new YMCA, George Brown College’s first student residence and a new streetcar line serving the West Don Lands and the adjacent Distillery District.

Ontario is also investing in other legacy projects. The province is providing $22.5 million for the construction of the new Hamilton stadium that will benefit the city and the Greater Golden Horseshoe and $22.5 million for the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport at the University of Toronto. The Goldring Centre will bring together sport science research, teaching, and sport medicine for the benefit of Ontario’s athletes and coaches.

Did you know?

You can track some of Ontario’s largest infrastructure projects at Infrastructure Ontario.

The province will also contribute to funding to operate the Milton Velodrome, Pan Am Aquatics Centre, and York stadium.

Hosting the Games will:

  • trigger investment in new and existing sports and recreation infrastructure, as well as the Sport Legacy Fund to contribute to the operation and capital maintenance of three brand new Games facilities
  • create 26,000 new jobs — 15,000 jobs directly related to Games investments and another 11,000 are projected as a result of Games-related investments and tourism
  • expand the pre-apprenticeship program to an additional 200 trainees who are gaining work experience on Pan Am and Parapan Am Games infrastructure projects
  • attract an estimated 250,000 visitors and bring 10,000 athletes and team officials to Ontario
  • build and train a team of up to 20,000 volunteers — a valuable foundation for future events and community building; additional OSAP incentives will encourage university and college students to participate