The 407 is actually a pretty good example of government inefficiency when it comes to planning and building highways.
It exists because the 401 wasn't built with sufficient long-term capacity, even after it was widened significantly.
I wouldn't really consider the 407 a true "private" highway, though. It's more a case of the private sector rescuing the government from a typical government-created debacle, and last I heard, the highway is now majority-owned by the CPP Investment Board (a Crown corporation).
Have you ever actually driven on the 407, by any chance? It's a much nicer experience than the 401, although having to pay a toll while also paying significant taxes can be annoying. Under a proper system, there'd only be usage tolls, and no taxes involved.
I have. It's a nice experience but boy is it expensive.
How do you imagine increasing private ownership of roads would work? It's near-impossible to ever have true competition in the sector so market forces wouldn't work as they normally do. Where's the incentive to innovate? Where's the incentive to lower prices?
And good luck implementing a "proper" system where there are two tiers of citizens: The rich and the rest. That's just not a good recipe for the cohesiveness of society.
