Ontario Premier Doug Ford says construction on the long-proposed Highway 413 is about to begin.

Ford made the announcement about the highway that would link Halton, Peel and York Regions in Caledon, Ont., Wednesday morning, saying the first two construction contracts for the project have now been awarded.

The new highway will reduce travel times between the regions by 30 minutes per trip, and construction will support more than 6,000 jobs and contribute more than $1 billion to Ontario's annual gross domestic product, Ford said.

"It will deliver on our plan to build a stronger, more prosperous Ontario for decades to come," Ford told reporters, saying the economic benefits of construction and reduced gridlock would help the province combat the impacts of U.S. tariffs. WATCH | Highway 41

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