ESSENTIAL SERVICE DELIVERY
York Region is Canada's fastest growing municipality. With such growth comes the responsibility of ensuring the ongoing provision of high quality, cost-effective essential services to all residents and corporate citizens. In 2000, the Transportation and Works Committee met this challenge through a $114 million operating budget and an aggressive $234 million capital program with outstanding, internationally-recognized results.
ON THE MOVE
Access to a reliable road network is key to vital economic activity and quality of life. In 2000, York Region successfully planned, built, monitored and operated its 998-kilometre Regional road network, reporting stable or declining accident rates.
This achievement was enhanced by significant roadway infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of Yonge Street at Elgin Mills Road; Highway 7 from Pine Valley Drive to Kipling Avenue; Islington Avenue from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7, and The Queensway from Ravenshoe Road to Morton Avenue.
With an eye to the future, York Region initiated its Transportation Master Plan, for completion in 2001. This study will map out the necessary improvements in the Region's transportation system in an effort to manage anticipated growth through to 2031. The Plan will closely examine road and transit improvements, as well as transportation demand management techniques.
Additionally, the 10-Year Capital Roads Program was updated to ensure realistic project scheduling and prioritizing of critical projects. The update also included five-year plans for resurfacing and bridge rehabilitation and a three-year plan for intersection improvements.
WATER EXCELLENCE
Safe water delivery is one of the most important services that York Region provides to residents. In 2000, the Region exceeded all Ontario Drinking Water Standards as specified by the Water Resources Act. To assist in maintaining this quality, a computerized Maintenance Management System was implemented across all water and wastewater facilities.
For its growing population, the Region began construction of watermains required to extend Lake Ontario-based water supply to Aurora and Newmarket and reinforce water supply to the Oak Ridges community. Further, the design and equipment pre-selection for the new Lake Simcoe Water Filtration Plant in Georgina was completed.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Great strides were also taken in wastewater management with the construction of the Aurora forcemain; the Highway 404 trunk sewer in Richmond Hill and Markham; the Maple relief sewer in Vaughan; the Humber Pumping Station upgrade, and a trunk sewer in Woodbridge. And the Region successfully secured financing of $37 million to begin construction on the 9th Line trunk sewer in Markham.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
The tremendous efforts achieved through the work of the Transportation and Works Committee earned world recognition in 2000. The Water for Tomorrow water efficiency program received international applause from both the American Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association. Additionally, the York-Durham Sewage System was successfully registered to ISO 14001, the internationally-recognized measure of excellence for environmental management systems, and the York Regional Forest was declared Canada's first "sustainable" public forest by a panel of international forestry experts.
Print 
