Record $8+ billion in York Region roads, water and wastewater infrastructure for today and tomorrow

Newmarket – York Regional Council received an update on the status of roads, water and wastewater capital infrastructure projects to keep people and goods moving, maintain and improve water networks and enable future growth.

“York Region’s Transportation and Water and Wastewater Master Plans continue to guide our capital infrastructure program, ensuring Regional road and water networks are meeting the needs of our growing communities,” said Eric Jolliffe, York Region Chairman and CEO. “York Region's significant investments are expanding and maintaining our infrastructure, with several major projects underway to better move water, wastewater, people and goods across York Region.”

Roads and water and wastewater capital infrastructure updates include:

• Investing $3.3 billion in road projects and $5.4 billion in water and wastewater projects for growth and asset management under the 10-year Capital Plan, representing a record high level of investment in the past 10 years
• Advancing an extensive Roads capital program, which includes 36 growth projects and 592 asset management projects, in various stages of delivery; work includes expanding the Regional road network through road widenings in congested urban areas and near new developments, new mid-block crossings over 400-series highways, intersection improvements, multi-use paths and streetscaping, as well as work to maintain assets in a state of good repair such as road renewal and structure renewal programs
• Maintaining 174 active projects for the water and wastewater capital program, focused on expanding the Regional sewer and water systems, keeping infrastructure in a state of good repair and managing system risk and resilience
• Advancing and implementing key water and wastewater rehabilitation projects with no major delays, including the Duffin Creek Incinerator Replacement Project, York Durham Sewage System Rehabilitation Program, Ductile Iron Watermain Replacement Program, Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program, Groundwater Treatment Program, Water Storage Reservoir Rehabilitation Program and the Elevated Water Tank Rehabilitation Program

“York Region continues to optimize the lifecycle of its infrastructure investments to accommodate growth, increase capacity on the Regional road network and keep assets in a state of good repair,” said Town of Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, Chair of Public Works – Transportation Services. “We remain focused on delivering an efficient transportation network. Building roads that integrate active and sustainable travel options helps manage traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide travellers with more ways to reach key destinations.”

York Region is expected to grow to over 2 million people and over 900,000 jobs by 2051. York Region’s Transportation Master Plan and Water and Wastewater Master Plan guide infrastructure investments to ensure services meet the needs of growing communities.

“Investments in water and wastewater infrastructure ensure safe, reliable services while supporting growth and environmental sustainability,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor David West, Chair of Public Works – Environmental Services. “We are advancing major growth projects such as the York Region Sewage Works and North York Durham Sewage System expansions. Through proactive asset management, we are strengthening critical Regional systems to enhance system resilience, maintain regulatory compliance and build infrastructure that will serve the Region reliably for generations to come.”

Economic and construction market volatility continue to affect capital infrastructure project costs and schedules. Through rigorous capital planning, procurement and monitoring, and by applying innovative delivery and contracting approaches, York Region continues to manage risk, achieve value for money and support long-term infrastructure sustainability.

While York Region annually reviews its capital program to ensure infrastructure projects are prioritized based on greatest need and long-term value, the Region continues to advocate for adequate and predictable senior government funding to support provincially directed growth and service delivery. This includes most recently through the Region’s submission to the 2026 Ontario Budget Consultation.

As municipalities across Ontario face increased financial pressures, there will be a stronger focus on phasing projects, optimizing delivery and exploring innovative funding and partnership opportunities to maintain essential services in a sustainable way. Any resulting adjustments will be considered through the 2027 budget process.

Learn more about York Region’s construction projects at york.ca/WaterConstruction and york.ca/RoadConstruction

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.3 million residents and over 58,000 businesses with 624,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact:

Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 437-997-6821,
Email: @email