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This page contains present day photos (Year 2000 to date) of Ontario's King's Highway 400, arranged by location from Toronto
northerly to the Highway 7 Interchange in Vaughan. All photographs displayed on this page were taken by the Webmaster (Cameron Bevers), unless specifically noted
otherwise. Click on any thumbnail to see a larger image!
Please note that all photographs displayed on this
website are protected by copyright. These photographs must not be reproduced, published,
electronically stored or copied, distributed, or posted onto other websites without
my written permission. If you want to use photos from this website, please
email me first for permission. Thank-you!
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Page 7: Present Day King's Highway 400 Photographs (Toronto to Hwy 7)
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Left - Approach to Black Creek Drive at the end of Hwy 400 in Toronto, showing the Hwy 400 Ends sign. The actual southern terminus of Hwy 400 is
at the Maple Leaf Drive Overpass, located about 400 metres south of the Jane Street Interchange. This section of Hwy 400 South was recently reconstructed. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) Right - Three-level interchange at Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 in Toronto, facing east along Hwy 401. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange in Toronto, facing west along Hwy 401. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange in Toronto, facing northwest. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 and Hwy 401 Interchange, facing southeast. Compare the 2004 aerial photo on the left to this
1953 aerial photo taken by the Department of Highways shortly
after Hwy 401 was completed, showing the original cloverleaf interchange at Hwy 400 & Hwy 401. The old cloverleaf was replaced
in the mid-1960s with the current semi-directional three-level interchange. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers). Right - Close-up view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange in Toronto, facing north along Hwy 400. See an Enlarged Photo here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange in Toronto, facing northeast. This is one of Toronto's busiest freeway interchanges. Nearly 550,000
vehicles pass through the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange daily. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange in Toronto, facing north along Hwy 400. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Exit ramps to Hwy 400 & Black Creek Drive from Eastbound Hwy 401 in Toronto. Black Creek Drive can only be accessed from the Eastbound
Hwy 401 Collector Lanes, while Hwy 400 can be accessed from either the Express or Collector Lanes. Strangely, access to Hwy 400 and Black Creek Drive from
Westbound Hwy 401 is only offered from the Collector Lanes. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Southbound Hwy 400 Overpass on Hwy 401 in Toronto (Structure #8). Structure completed in 1964. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Tri-chord overhead sign support structure on the ramp from Eastbound Hwy 401 to Hwy 400 & Black Creek Drive. These structures are
characterized by a unique triangular steel truss mounted onto steel support columns. The tri-chord overhead sign support structure was first introduced in
Ontario in 1999 and has become MTO's preferred method of overhead sign installation in recent years. These new steel tri-chord sign structures can carry
much larger signboards than their aluminum predecessors. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Southbound Hwy 400 Overpass over the ramp from Eastbound Hwy 401 to Northbound Hwy 400 (Structure #11). Structure completed in 1964. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Western side of the Black Creek Drive Overpass (Structure #11) showing the dual-rail parapet design. The Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange
was the first freeway-to-freeway interchange built with dual-rail parapet bridges. This type of bridge parapet was first introduced on Hwy 401 in 1963 and
was used extensively on highways throughout the province until the late 1970s. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - The separate ramps to Northbound Hwy 400 from the Eastbound Hwy 401 Collector and Express Lanes join together on a long circular curve hidden behind the Southbound Hwy 400 Overpass. As a result, the curve isn't particularly apparent to drivers approaching the interchange. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - One of the most curious historical features of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange is the "ghost ramp", built in the early 1990s to
accommodate the staging for the reconstruction on Hwy 400 north of Hwy 401. This abandoned ramp lies in the middle of the interchange on the south side of
Hwy 401. The ramp used to carry traffic from Eastbound Hwy 401 to Northbound Hwy 400, diverting traffic around the western span of the Northbound Hwy 400
Overpass across Hwy 401 (Structure #10). The ramp has been closed off to regular traffic for years and now lies abandoned behind a locked ramp gate.
However, the ramp gate can still be opened at a moment's notice in the event of an emergency. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Facing east along the abandoned ramp in the middle of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange. The ramp is about 150 metres in length. It merges with the northbound lanes of Hwy 400 immediately south of Hwy 401. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Facing west along the abandoned ramp from Eastbound Hwy 401 to Northbound Hwy 400. The bridge in the foreground is Structure #11 carrying Southbound Hwy 400 traffic. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - General view of the three-level Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange, facing north. The ramp at left carries traffic from Eastbound Hwy 401 to Northbound Hwy 400, while the flyover in the background carries traffic from Southbound Hwy 400 to Eastbound Hwy 401 (Structure #9). The mainline lanes of Hwy 401 are on the bottom level of the interchange. Designed in 1962, the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange was the first multi-level freeway-to-freeway interchange construction project undertaken by the Department of Highways of Ontario. Construction began on the new three-level interchange in early 1963 and was essentially completed by the end of 1965. The new interchange at Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 replaced an outdated cloverleaf interchange that had been constructed in 1951. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Traffic from Eastbound Hwy 401 continues to curve to the left before the ramp joins the northbound lanes of Hwy 400. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Western side of Structure #9, as it gracefully curves from Southbound Hwy 400 to Eastbound Hwy 401. Completed in 1964, Structure #9 is the longest flyover at the Hwy 400 & Hwy 401 Interchange with 8 post-tensioned concrete spans covering a total length of 231 metres (760 feet). (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Eastern end of Structure #9 carrying traffic from Southbound Hwy 400, before it joins the Eastbound Hwy 401 Collector Lanes. Access to the
Eastbound Hwy 401 Express Lanes is provided at the adjacent Downsview Basketweave, located about 1 km to the east along Hwy 401. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Facing north towards the Northbound Hwy 400 Overpass across Hwy 401 (Structure #10). The bridge carries three northbound through lanes on Hwy 400. This complex structure is actually in the shape of an elongated "Z", since it also carries a ramp which merges with Northbound Hwy 400 along with a diverging ramp that leads to Westbound Hwy 401. Structure completed in 1965. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Facing west along the ramp from Eastbound Hwy 401 to Northbound Hwy 400. The structure in the background carries Southbound Hwy 400 traffic
(Structure #11). (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Facing west along Hwy 401 towards Structure #5, which carries traffic from Westbound Hwy 401 to Southbound Hwy 400. Structure completed in 1964. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Diagrammatic sign on Southbound Hwy 400 approaching the Hwy 401 Interchange in Toronto. Although it isn't indicated on the sign, Hwy 400
actually continues south of the Hwy 401 Interchange. However, in the southbound direction, the route is shown on signs as an exit to Black Creek Drive. The
Ministry of Transportation maintains Hwy 400 for about 2 km south of Hwy 401. However, this road ultimately becomes Black Creek Drive, an arterial road
owned by the City of Toronto. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Advance signs on Southbound Hwy 400 for the Hwy 401 Interchange. Note that Jane Street has also appeared on the sign for Black Creek Drive. The pull-though signs for Hwy 401 are intended to get drivers into the correct lanes well in advance of the split between the ramps to Hwy 401 East and Hwy 401 West. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Turn-off signs on Southbound Hwy 400 for Black Creek Drive. The distance to the exit at Jane Street is indicated on this sign, which is a
very unusual message to be conveyed on a turn-off sign. Normally, it is only the street name that is shown on a turn-off sign. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Deck view of the Southbound Hwy 400 Overpass crossing over Hwy 401 (Structure #8). The bridge carries three southbound lanes, one of which develops just before the structure. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Deck view of the Southbound Hwy 400 Overpass over the ramp to Northbound Hwy 400 from Eastbound Hwy 401 (Structure #11). (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Advance sign for the Hwy 401 East exit on Northbound Hwy 400. In the northbound direction, there are two separate exit ramps to Hwy 401 which complicates the advance overhead sign layout. (Photograph taken on March 15, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - The overhead sign structure which shows the turn-off sign for the Hwy 401 East exit on Northbound Hwy 400 also carries a pre-advance sign
for the upcoming Hwy 401 West exit. (Photograph taken on March 15, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Approaching the Hwy 401 Interchange on Northbound Hwy 400. The flyover in the background is Structure #9, carrying traffic from Southbound Hwy 400 to Eastbound Hwy 401. The exit to Hwy 401 West is a direct-taper off-ramp which commences underneath Structure #9. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Facing north along Hwy 400 at the Hwy 401 Interchange. At right, a loop ramp exits from Northbound Hwy 400 to join Westbound Hwy 401. (Photograph taken on April 11, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - Overhead signs on the ramp from Westbound Hwy 401 to Hwy 400. As is the case on Eastbound Hwy 401, the exit to Hwy 400 South is signed as Black Creek Drive. (Photograph taken on March 15, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Approaching the Hwy 400 Interchange on the Westbound Hwy 401 Collector Lanes in Toronto. (Photograph taken on September 1, 2009 - © Cameron Bevers) Right - First-generation COMPASS changeable message sign on the Eastbound Hwy 401 Collector Lanes at the Hwy 400 Interchange. These electronic signs were installed in 1989-1990 in preparation for the launch of the Ministry of Transportation's new freeway traffic management system (COMPASS) in 1991. Most of these early electronic signs were replaced with new changeable message signs along the Hwy 401 corridor in 2010. The new signs have large high-resolution display matrices which are much easier to read than the first generation signs. The old COMPASS sign shown here was replaced with a new sign shortly after this photo was taken. (Photograph taken on May 29, 2010 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of Hwy 400 in Toronto, facing north towards the Finch Avenue Interchange. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) Right - Aerial view of the Finch Avenue Interchange on Hwy 400 in Toronto, facing west. See an Enlarged Photo here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 and Finch Avenue Interchange, facing south towards Hwy 401 (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) Right - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 407 ETR Interchange in Vaughan, facing north along Hwy 400. This impressive four-level fully directional freeway interchange took several years to complete due to the complex construction staging that was required. See an Enlarged Photo here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of Hwy 407 ETR, facing east towards the Hwy 400 Interchange from Weston Road in Vaughan. See an
Enlarged Photo here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) Right - Aerial view of Hwy 400, facing south from the Hwy 7 Interchange towards the Hwy 407 ETR Interchange in Vaughan. See an Enlarged Photo here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) ![]() ![]()
Left - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 407 ETR Interchange in Vaughan, facing northeast. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Mark Mirrlees) Right - Aerial view of Hwy 407 ETR, facing west towards the Hwy 400 Interchange from Jane Street in Vaughan. See an Enlarged Photo here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers) ![]()
Above - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 407 Interchange in Vaughan, facing northwest. (Photograph taken on May 25, 2002 - © Lance Dutchak) ![]()
Above - Aerial view of the Hwy 400 & Hwy 7 Interchange in Vaughan, facing northeast. Compare the 2004 aerial photo above to this
1953 aerial photo taken by the Department of Highways shortly after Hwy 400 opened. Urban sprawl
has completely devoured rural lands in this part of York Region since the early 1990s. See an
Enlarged Photo Here. (Photograph taken on May 30, 2004 - © Cameron Bevers)
Continue on to King's Highway 400 Photos: Hwy 7 to Hwy 9
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