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Continued investments promote active transportation

November 01, 2023
York Region working with local municipalities and making community spaces better for walking and cycling

Newmarket – York Regional Council received an update on the Pedestrian Cycling and Municipal Streetscape Partnership Program; two distinctive programs helping York Region, cities and towns and other partners work together to improve transportation choices across our communities, including the promotion of sustainable transportation such as walking and cycling.

“More people are walking and cycling in our communities using our existing infrastructure,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “We are committed to continue making our communities more appealing to encourage sustainable transportation.”

These cost-sharing partnership programs build infrastructure for active living and community enhancements. Every year, York Region allocates up to $500,000 for the Pedestrian Cycling Program and up to $1 million for the Streetscape Program.

“Cost-sharing programs like these make it easier for people to walk and bike for fun or as part of their commute,” said Town of Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, Chair of the Region’s Public Works Transportation Services. “In addition to providing more opportunities to be active, these initiatives also reduce the need for single-occupant vehicles.”

Pedestrian Cycling Program projects funded in 2022/2023 include:

  • Adding a multi-use path on Woodbine Avenue from Glenwoods Drive to the new Multi-Use Recreational Complex in the Town of Georgina 
  • Improving the multi-use path intersection at Markham Road (16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive) in the City of Markham 
  • Building cycle tracks on Major Mackenzie Drive between Jane Street and McNaughton Road in the City of Vaughan 
  • Creating a cycle track on New Westminster Drive between Bathurst Street and Clark Avenue in the City of Vaughan

 Streetscape Program projects funded in 2023 include:

  • Developing parkettes on Bathurst Street at Shaw Road and Weldrick Road in the City of Richmond Hill
  • Enhancing area around 16th Avenue and Leslie Street in the City of Richmond Hill
  • Improving Major Mackenzie Drive between McNaughton Road and Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive and Station Street in the City of Vaughan

Since the programs launched in 2006 and 2007, York Region has contributed $8.4 million to support 49 Pedestrian Cycling projects and $13.3 million to support 41 Streetscape Program projects.

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact

Tamara Ostrowski, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71226 Cell: 905-251-6412
Email: @email