Newmarket By-pass opens

 

NEWMARKET – Construction of the Newmarket By-pass between Highway 400 and Highway 404 is complete and the By-pass is now open. The By-pass is expected to accommodate 20,000 vehicles a day and will greatly relieve congestion and delays on Regional roads along the Highway 9 / Green Lane corridor.

 

"This was an ambitious project from the beginning and will do wonders to reduce delays and fulfill a major component of the Region's Combating Traffic Congestion Plan," said Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch. "Decreasing delays through signal improvements, roads projects and continued enhancements to York Region Transit will improve the quality of life for all Regional residents."

 

The Newmarket By-pass construction included the construction of two bridges over the East Holland River, new traffic signals at Bathurst Street and Green Lane and signal upgrades at Highway 9 and Bathurst Street.

 

"This $28.7 million By-pass from Highway 400 to Highway 404 is a great investment in combating congestion." said Richmond Hill Mayor Bill Bell, Chair of York Region's Transportation and Works committee. "This By-pass will enable vehicles to avoid the downtown area of Newmarket in the Yonge Street and Davis Drive area."

 

Authorization for the Newmarket By-pass project design was approved by York Regional Council in January 1999.  Property acquisition was approved by Council in September 2001.  It included:

 

·         the widening of Highway 9 from two to four lanes between Highway 400 and Bathurst Street

·         the construction of  four lanes on Bathurst Street between Highway 9 and Green Lane

·         the construction of four lanes on Green Lane between Bathurst Street and Yonge Street

 

"This is a state-of-the art project that will significantly improve the lives of Regional residents for years to come and improve traffic flow through Newmarket," said Newmarket Mayor Tom Taylor.

 

Environmental stewardship has been a priority on the project, with over 1220 trees planted and accommodations made for wildlife passage.                                                                                               

 

"Residents in East Gwillimbury have been looking forward to this opening since the project began two years ago," said East Gwillimbury Mayor James Young.  "I know that the design of the By-pass and its convenience will be appreciated by all."

 

"With more than 50,000 vehicles traveling on Yonge Street between Green Lane and Davis Drive, this By-pass will do wonders to relieve congested roads and improve the overall flow of traffic in the Region," said Margaret Black, Mayor of King Township.

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at: www.region.york.on.ca.

 

Fact Sheets

 

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Contact:            Michael Kemp, Corporate Communications, York Region

- (905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1232

                        - Email: michael.kemp@region.york.on.ca