Doug Ford unveils plans for three-level tunnel under Hwy. 401, lacks feasibility report

Ontario Premier Doug Ford came out with some surprising details at a press conference in Thornhill Wednesday, on his plans to build a tunnel under Highway 401.

He is also warning Canada to be ready for even more trade attacks from President Donald Trump.

The Premier spoke on topics ranging from tunnels, to trade, to bike lanes and school air conditioners.

For starters, Ford gave some specifics of his vision of a massive three-level 401-tunnel, with a price tag that could be just as big.

If Ford’s plan becomes reality, he says Ontario’s new tunnel under the highway could be the largest in the world.

“We’re going to have a tunnel,” said Ford. “It’s going to be 19-and-a-half metres wide — never been done in the world.”

“We’re going to have one level east, underneath that another level going west, and the bottom level with the train – that’s how we’re going to do it,” said Ford.

That’s a three-storey tunnel from Mississauga to as far as Markham in the east.

READ MORE: Ford envisions three-level tunnel under Highway 401, feasibility study not started

At 19.5 metres wide, that’s two-and-a-half times wider than the Channel Tunnel – the two train tunnels between England and France – that are 7.6 metres wide.

A tunnel expert said the cost could hit $130 billion.

The premier brushed aside reports that the province looked at the tunnel idea as early as 2019 and dropped it, and that engineers were worried about safety and tunnel collapses.

“We’re building that tunnel as sure as I’m talking to you,” said Ford. “We’ll do it safely and properly and we’re going to do the largest tunnel in the world.”

There is no indication of when construction will begin, but Ford, who is 60-years-old, said he won’t be around when it’s finished.

“I’ll be pushing up tulips by the time everyone’s riding that whole scene,” said Ford.

Ford also appeared to be thinking about Trump’s lifespan prospects as he focused on U.S. tariffs Wednesday. Trump is 79-years-old.

“I can tell you one thing: we’re going to outlast, we’re going to outlive President Trump and these tariffs,” said Ford. “We’re going to work well together as a country, provinces, and municipalities.”

“That’s how we can defeat these terrible tariffs from President Trump,” said Ford.

After a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other premiers, Ford said Canada should be protecting industries like steel, by launching major national projects like pipelines and shipbuilding, and prepare for another trade attack by Trump.

“He’s coming at us hard, he’s coming at us with everything he has and we have to make sure we’re ready,” said Ford.

Ford is predicting Trump will walk away from the Canada-United States-Mexico Free Trade Agreement this fall, leaving Canada even more vulnerable to tariffs.

“Any given time President Trump, he could pull the carpet out from underneath us tomorrow with one signature, so let’s be prepared — I think it’s coming in November, that’s my opinion,” said Ford. “I’m praying that everything is going to go fine, but if it doesn’t, I’ve gotta ask the people, ‘do you trust President Trump’, I don’t.”

On trade, Ford said Canada should also be doing more to keep foreign steel out of projects in this country.

WATCH MORE: WATCH: Premier Ford is expected to speak in Thornhill, Ont. Wednesday