The route number was confirmed by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) alongside Highway 412 on February 6, 2015.

At the southern end, the route begins at a three-way interchange with Highway 401, from which it proceeds north.

[7] North of former Highway 2, the route swerves eastward and crosses Solina Road.

[9] The EA report was released on August 17, 2009, and included detailed plans for the configuration of the interchanges along the new freeway.

[7] On February 6, 2015, it was announced by the MTO that the East Durham Link would be designated Highway 418.

Phase 2A, which included the portion of the highway north of Taunton Road, was finished by December 2017 and opened on January 2, 2018.

[15] Heavy vehicles were legally required to have a transponder and may have been charged under the Highway Traffic Act if they did not.