The Government of Ontario in Canada has opened the second phase of Highway 407 from Harmony Road to Taunton Road in Clarington in a step to further reduce traffic congestion in the Durham region.

Last year, the first phase of the Highway 407 extension was opened.

It also included a new Highway 412 and currently serves more than 40,000 vehicles per day, thereby improving travel times in the region.

The second phase will see the addition of a 9.6km extension to the highway, including two new interchanges.

The final phase of the project, scheduled to open by 2020, includes Highway 418 and will connect Highway 407 with Highway 35/115.

“Our government is providing alternate options for travellers, and I look forward to the completion of the last phase of the Highway 407 project in 2020.”

It will also provide an additional north/south connection from Highway 407 to Highway 401.

Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca said: “I am pleased to announce that this new stretch of Highway 407 is complete and is now open to everyone travelling in Durham Region – creating infrastructure that will fuel the economy and create jobs, connecting people and businesses while making commutes less stressful today and tomorrow.

“Our government is providing alternate options for travellers, and I look forward to the completion of the last phase of the Highway 407 project in 2020.”

The province plans to use the revenue procured through toll collection on Highways 407, 412 and 418 to fund multiple programmes and services in Ontario.