Toronto, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to commit to releasing the details of the government’s feasibility study of a proposed tunnel under Highway 401 as well as full cost projections. 

“Taxpayers deserve to see the price before the government starts a project that will cost billions of dollars,” said CTF Ontario Director Jay Goldberg. “On other major infrastructure projects, we’ve seen massive cost overruns and failure on the part of the government to be upfront with taxpayers in terms of the overall cost. Taxpayers deserve full transparency on a proposed project of this magnitude.”

The Ford government is pitching a tunnel to reduce congestion. The tunnel would be roughly 55 kilometres long and would run under Highway 401 from Brampton or Mississauga in the west to Scarborough or Markham in the east.

The feasibility study will include an estimate of the cost, but Ford is already saying he intends to go forward with the project before the study is complete.

“We’re going to get the job done, mark my words,” said Ford at a press conference earlier today.

Other projects, such as the Ontario Line addition to Toronto’s subway system, have gone billions of dollars over budget.

“This government has a long track record of blowing through budgets,” said Goldberg. “That’s why Ford needs to show taxpayers the plan and the price tag before spending billions.”