York Regional Council selects municipal partner projects for Regional funding in 2007 and 2008

 

Eligible projects encourage commuter walking and cycling across York Region

 

NEWMARKET – York Regional Council today approved the selection of local municipal and stakeholder projects eligible for Regional funding in 2007 and 2008 under the Pedestrian and Cycling Municipal Partnership Program.  York Region will share up to 50 per cent of the construction costs of qualifying local municipal and stakeholder group pedestrian and cycling infrastructure projects that benefit communities across the Region.

 

The Towns of Newmarket, Markham and East Gwillimbury will receive funding in 2007, which marks the first year of the program.  In 2008, funding will continue for projects in these towns and projects in the Town of Aurora and the City of Vaughan will also receive funding.

 

“Pedestrian and cycling programs positively affect our Region by providing improved accessibility and active travel options for residents and businesses,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch.  “Through this program, the Region is taking action and leadership to support and accelerate local municipal efforts for pedestrian and cycling facilities.”

 

The capital budget for this program was approved by Regional Council in October 2006 with an initial budget of $500,000 per year, beginning in 2007.

 

“York Region’s involvement accelerates the construction of local pedestrian and cycling infrastructure that benefit Regional communities,” said York Region Planning and Economic Development Committee Chairman James Young, Mayor of the Town of East Gwillimbury.  “Encouraging active transportation and healthy lifestyles in our local communities is a benefit to us all.”

 

Five municipalities and one agency submitted applications for the 2007 and 2008 programs.  From these submissions, the total estimated project cost for 2007 and 2008 was approximately $3.3 million, with a request for Regional funding of $1.65 million.

 

Regional Council elected to share the available funding in 2008 to all eligible projects, resulting in each project receiving a 32 per cent Regional contribution.

 

Projects were ranked on how they met the program’s goals of encouraging commuter walking and cycling, reducing traffic congestion and benefiting Regional communities.  Following is a summary of information on these projects.

 

·         The Town of Newmarket will receive $251,000 in 2007 and $145,920 in 2008 to extend the Tom Taylor Trail south of Mulock Drive (approximately 1.1 kilometres), including an underpass at Mulock Drive

 

·         The Town of Markham will receive $184,000 in 2007 and $113,920 in 2008 to develop multi-use pathways on Major Mackenzie Drive from Woodbine Avenue to Prospector's Drive and from Prospector’s Drive to Highway 48

 

·         The Town of East Gwillimbury will receive $65,000 in 2007 and $57,600 in 2008 to construct a pedestrian bridge across the Holland River between Yonge Street and 2nd Concession and enhance the trail from 2nd Concession to the new bridge

 

·         The Town of Aurora will receive $80,000 in 2008 to complete approximately 700 metres of the Nokiidaa Trail as a multi-use connection to the Tom Taylor Trail in the Town of Newmarket

 

·         The City of Vaughan will receive $16,000 to complete the Bartley Smith Greenway trail connection in Tudor Valley from Planchett Road to Jacob Keffer Parkway

 

·         The City of Vaughan will receive $87,200 to complete the William Granger Greenway trail connection under Rutherford Road and connecting Rutherford Road to Boyd Conservation Area

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York and our services, please visit www.york.ca

- 30 -