Demonstrating the Real Value of Infrastructure: The Economic Impact of Highway 407 ETR
Stretching across over ten municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Highway 407 ETR plays a vital role in keeping people, goods and services moving efficiently.
The highway operator, 407 ETR, commissioned Steer to deliver an Economic Impact Report to quantify and demonstrate how the highway contributes to the regional economy and enhances quality-of-life across the GTA.
Our Approach
Steer’s analysis used traffic, travel time and customer trip data to capture the full range of benefits generated by the highway, from time savings and improved safety to greater productivity and accessibility for commuters, businesses, and communities.
Our team translated complex datasets on highway usage and regional travel times into clear, relatable findings, showing how much time the average commuter saves daily, weekly, and annually by using the Highway. Using regional population data, we also conducted a catchment area analysis to map how Highway 407 ETR improves access to key destinations across the GTA.
Outcomes
The final report communicates the technical findings to a wide audience through clear visuals, infographics and data storytelling, highlighting how investment in transportation infrastructure translates into tangible economic and social benefits.
The report was made public by 407 ETR and featured in Canadian media. Steer will also be featured in a forthcoming 407 ETR podcast discussing the report findings.
"Transportation infrastructure is often justified by its promise to drive economic growth and improve quality of life — but too rarely do we measure whether those benefits are truly realized" - Patrick Miller, Vice President, Steer.
At Steer, we have more than a decade of economic impact analysis experience, across the U.S. and around the world, that complements our advisory work for state, federal, and international highway, rail, aviation and maritime organizations. If you’d like to learn more about Steer’s work assessing economic impact, please contact:
Tom Leach, Associate Vice President; Patrick Miller, Vice President; and Reiner Kravis, Senior Consultant.
