Ontario Government Set to Eliminate Tolls on Provincially Owned Portion of Highway 407
Commuters in eastern Ontario are about to receive a significant financial break. Premier Doug Ford has announced that the province will officially remove tolls from the publicly owned portion of Highway 407, fulfilling a key campaign promise made by the Progressive Conservative government during the last provincial election.
The toll removal is expected to take effect on June 1, 2025, making this stretch of highway free to use for all drivers.
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Which Section of Highway 407 Will Be Free?
The section of Highway 407 set to become toll-free runs from Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 35/115 in Clarington. This eastern stretch of the highway is owned by the provincial government and is distinct from the 407 ETR (Express Toll Route), which remains under private ownership.
This means:
- No tolls for drivers traveling on the Pickering to Clarington section
- Tolls remain in effect on the privately owned 407 ETR, which spans from Burlington to Brock Road
The toll-free section is represented in dark green on maps provided by on407.ca.
How Much Could Commuters Save?
According to the Ontario government, removing tolls from this section of Highway 407 is expected to deliver substantial savings for daily users. Estimates suggest that regular commuters could save up to $7,200 per year once the tolls are eliminated.
Premier Doug Ford emphasized the move as part of the government’s broader effort to make life more affordable for Ontarians.
“In a few short weeks, once the legislation is passed, there will not be one single publicly owned tolled highway left in Ontario,” Ford said during a press conference. “And that’s thanks to our government’s ban on new road tolls in the province.”
A Continued Push to Make Driving More Affordable
This isn’t the Ford government’s first step toward toll relief. In 2022, tolls were removed from Highways 412 and 418 in Durham Region, also provincially owned.
Ford also voiced criticism of the 1999 sale of the 407 ETR to private investors for $3.1 billion, calling the decision a “big mistake.” Though the privately owned 407 ETR will continue to charge tolls, Ford has previously suggested the province might consider buying back the highway — a move that could open the door to further toll relief down the line.
What Drivers Should Know Before June 1
Until June 1, 2025, tolls still apply on the eastern portion of Highway 407. Drivers planning to travel on this section should continue to pay the required fees until the change officially takes effect.
After June 1:
- The Brock Road to Highway 35/115 section will be free to use
- Tolls will still be charged on the rest of Highway 407 (407 ETR)
Commuters are encouraged to check signage and route maps to determine which parts of the highway remain tolled and which are toll-free.
A Win for Eastern Ontario Drivers
The removal of tolls from this portion of Highway 407 is expected to ease the burden on commuters and support economic activity in Durham Region and surrounding areas.
As Ontario pushes forward with its ban on new toll roads, this move marks a major milestone in the province’s commitment to accessible, affordable infrastructure for all residents.