York Region places major emphasis on capital infrastructure projects in 2004 budget

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NEWMARKET – As part of the 2004 Business Plan and Budget approved by York Regional Council today, York Region will embark on $812.7 million in Transportation and Works capital projects.  The budget includes a major emphasis on infrastructure development, including water and wastewater, roads, solid waste management and transit.

"This budget shows a continued commitment to capital projects for our growing community," said Richmond Hill Mayor Bill Bell Chair of the Region's Transportation and Works Committee.  "With the growth we have experienced over the last few years, these funds are essential to help alleviate traffic congestion and adding necessary water and wastewater services to residents."

The 2004 Transportation and Works capital budget represents a year-over-year increase of 25 per cent.  Among the highlights:

York Region Transit / Rapid Transit

• 35 new conventional buses for York Region Transit (YRT)
• Five new buses Mobility Plus specialized transit
• New infrastructure for York Rapid Transit Plan Quick Start (contingent on final agreements with Government of Canada and Government of Ontario)

Water and Wastewater

• 35 kilometres of new watermains
• Additional wastewater capacity

Roads

• An increase of $8 million or 10 per cent over 2003 to the roads budget for road widening and intersection improvements
• An additional $2 million for resurfacing improvement to over 3,100 lane kilometres of paved regional roads, including new pavement management system
• Expansion of roads system by adding additional 103 lane kilometres
• Intersection improvements, including traffic signals and traffic control signs

Solid Waste Management

• Bales Drive Waste Management facility in East Gwillimbury
• Depots for safe disposal of household hazardous waste
• A new Household Hazardous Waste and Public Drop-Off Depot for residents to dispose of items not accepted in curbside programs 

"It's going to be a critical year for capital works projects," said Kees Schipper, Commissioner of Transportation and Works for York Region.  "We are looking forward to moving ahead with this needed infrastructure to continue to provide high quality water, wastewater, roads, transit and waste management service to our residents."

Overall, the increases to the capital budget will address a number of short-term and long-term infrastructure needs. For a more detailed list of capital projects, please see the attached Fact Sheet.

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Approved capital infrastructure projects in
2004 Business Plan and Budget

NEWMARKET – Included are details of the $812.7 million Transportation and Works capital infrastructure budget.

York Region Transit / Rapid Transit: 2004 Capital Budget $160.6 million
• Acquisition of 35 new conventional buses for York Region Transit (YRT)
• Five new buses for Mobility Plus specialized transit
• York Rapid Transit Plan Quick Start program (contingent on final agreements with

Government of Canada and Government of Ontario)

Water and Wastewater: 2004 Capital Budget $456.2 million
• Build 35 new kilometres of transmission mains
• Build 11 new kilometres of sewer/forcemain
• Completion of Humber Forcemain
• Continued work on Sixteenth Avenue Trunk Sewer
• Continued work on Ninth Line Trunk Sewer to Stouffville
• Continued work on Duffin Creek Optimization Project (with Durham Region)
• Completion of Peel Feedermain
• Completion of Langstaff Watermain from Islington Ave. to East Woodbridge elevated tank
• Completion of McNaughton Rd. and Major MacKenzie Dr. watermain from Bathurst St. to Keele St.
• Completion of Elgin Mills Rd. watermain from Bayview Ave. to Woodbine Ave.
• Completion of Wellington watermain to Orchard Heights Public School
• Completion of Mount Albert elevated tank

Roads: 2004 Capital Budget $156.3 million
• Build 103 additional lane kilometres of roads
• Resurface 77 lane kilometres of roads
• Rehabilitate three major bridge structures and complete minor bridge work
• Rehabilitate five major intersections and minor intersection improvements

Solid Waste Management: 2004 Capital Budget $39.6 million
• Continued construction of Bales Drive Waste Management facility in East Gwillimbury
• Construct new Household Hazardous Waste and public drop-off facilities in the southern part of York Region

Contact: Patrick Casey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, York Region

• (905) 830-4444, ext. 1235
• Email: patrick.casey@region.york.on.ca