A project to widen a main road in Mississauga’s west end is about much more than helping the flow of traffic, the city says.
Work began this week to expand a 6.7-kilometre stretch of Ninth Line between Derry Road and Eglinton Avenue to four lanes from its current two-lane configuration.
When completed sometime in 2027, the new-look north-south road will feature more than the two extra lanes — it’ll also include new sidewalks, cycle tracks for bike riders, better bus stops and a host of additional attributes expected to “promote growth and allow more housing in the area,” the City of Mississauga said.
In fact, city officials predicted, the major undertaking will “help turn Mississauga’s last remaining greenfield into a well-connected, transit-friendly and sustainable neighbourhood.”
When work is completed, Ninth Line in Mississauga will be “wider, safer and easier to use,” the city said in a news release this week, adding the many upgrades “will enable more than 3,400 homes and support people who walk, bike, take transit and drive.”
Additionally, a completed Ninth Line will be designed to help reduce the risk of local flooding, the city noted, a concern on the rise the last few years given the increased frequency of heavy rainstorms that have flooded parts of Canada’s seventh-largest city.
“Construction is now underway on key upgrades that will widen the road, add space for walking and biking, improve transit stops and reduce the risk of flooding,” the city said. “These important updates will help people travel more safely, comfortably and conveniently while preparing the area for future growth. Once complete, the improvements will reduce congestion, support all road users and help the road handle heavy rain, making daily trips more reliable as the community continues to grow.”
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said the Ninth Line area “continues to be an important part of Mississauga’s future, and this project reflects the value of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to getting things done.”
Mississauga-Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri, also on hand for this week’s groundbreaking, described the widening of Ninth Line as “a critical milestone,” noting that by transforming the route, “we aren’t just easing traffic congestion and making our roads safer — we are building the vital infrastructure necessary to unlock new housing developments and support our community’s rapid growth.”
More specifically, according to city officials, the project will deliver the following improvements:
- Widening the road from two lanes to four lanes, with two lanes in each direction to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow during peak travel times.
- Adding sidewalks, curbs and gutters, along with cycle tracks behind the roadway curb to create safer routes for families, students and people walking or biking.
- Improving storm drainage to help reduce flooding on the road during heavy rain, improving safety and reliability.
- Adding new street lighting, transit stops, intersections and traffic signals to create safer streets.
- Improving access to make it easier and safer for residents to access nearby parks, trails and Osprey Marsh.
- Enhancing the culvert bridge with better waterproofing and a wider road to reduce the risk of flooding during storms.
Mississauga officials said the sweeping project is partly funded by the Ontario government’s $20-million contribution via the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The program helps municipalities build, maintain and repair local roads, bridges, culverts and water systems to enable new housing and protect existing homes from health and safety risks.
Mississauga Ward 10 Coun. Sue McFadden said the “massive infrastructure project will serve the needs of all residents who are travelling on Ninth Line to access businesses, homes, green spaces and Osprey Marsh.”
Mississauga-Erin Mills MPP Sheref Sabawy said Ninth Line is “no longer a rural road on the outskirts of the city; it is becoming a critical artery for the Erin Mills community.”
In recent years, he continued, “we have seen incredible community milestones come to life here, including the Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Mattamy Sports Park. Expanding Ninth Line will allow development to continue, paving the way for new homes and development.”
(Cover image/rendering: City of Mississauga)
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