Rutherford Road
York Region cares about our communities and we are committed to delivering transportation improvements safely, while minimizing disruptions as best as possible.
Highway 400 to Westburne Drive
March 20, 2023
Construction starts: August 3, 2021
Anticipated completion: Spring 2024
We’re widening and improving Rutherford Road from Highway 400 to Westburne Drive to accommodate growth, ease congestion and create transportation options for all travellers.
Improvements include:
- Reconstructing and widening Rutherford Road from four to six lanes including left-turn lanes from Westburne Drive to Jane Street
- Resurfacing Rutherford Road from Jane Street to Highway 400
- Replacing and widening the existing bridge over the CN rail tracks
- Replacing and/or extending four existing culverts
- Upgrading traffic signals to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements
- Installing new boulevard bicycle lanes and sidewalks
- Installing and upgrading street lighting
- Installing a boulevard with raised median planters and enhanced streetscaping features
- Installing retaining walls and traffic noise barrier walls
- Upgrading storm sewer systems
Construction Update
Project updates:
- Road resurfacing and intersection improvements have been completed, from the intersection of Jane Street to Highway 400 and along Jane Street south of Rutherford Road
- One culvert crossing has been replaced and two other culverts have been extended
- Crews are preparing to replace the last culvert (or tunnel) running under Rutherford Road between Greenock Drive and Tesma Way
- Utility relocations are ongoing between Keele Street and Sherwood Park; this work is anticipated to be completed by winter 2023
- Staff are monitoring traffic flow and adjusting signal timing within the project limits to keep traffic moving
Challenges:
- Unanticipated poor soil was encountered at one of the culverts at the creek crossing of Rutherford Road between Greenock Drive and Tesma Way. Removal of a portion of the poor quality soil and additional support of the culvert is required to complete the work
- Widening the bridge over the railway tracks is subject to the Canadian National (CN) Railway operating rules. This creates an added level of complexity while working in close proximity to the tracks, and maintaining railway traffic at one of the busiest rail yards in North America
- We are continually trying to balance the need to move construction work along while keeping traffic moving through the project limits
What you can expect in 2023:
- Widening and reconstruction of the roadway
- Culvert replacement and restoration work between Greenock Drive and Tesma Way
- Reconstructing and widening the CN Railway crossing bridge
- Once the road is widened on the north side, traffic will be shifted to the north side to accommodate the storm sewer replacement
- Installing permanent signals at the signalized intersections
- Streetscaping and median construction
Impacts to travellers in 2023:
- Extended hours for lane reductions may be required to complete the widening of the bridge structure and culvert installation
Night work
There is no night work currently scheduled at this time.
Construction Reminders
Safety is a priority on all Regional construction sites. A temporary speed reduction will be in place throughout the project limits, as lanes will be temporarily shifted and widths will be reduced to accommodate construction.
Travellers are encouraged to use traffic and navigation tools. York Region provides real-time traffic and road information in open data, used by many apps.
Construction may be rescheduled due to weather conditions. York Region will provide advance notice whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of this project?
At the end of this project, citizens can look forward to:
- Reduced traffic congestion with two extra lanes of roadway
- A safer commute with rehabilitated roads, upgraded traffic signals that meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) standards, and enhanced roadway illumination
- A connected transportation network for cyclists
- A new sidewalk on the north side of Rutherford Road, between Jane Street and Springside Road
- Upgraded traffic signals and enhanced roadway illumination
- Travellers will also get rehabilitated roads, ensuring a safer commute for all road users
What is a culvert?
A culvert is a tunnel or crossing located under a road. It can be built to transport either water, people or animals.
Why do the culverts need to be replaced?
York Region conducts routine inspections of its infrastructure. Through ongoing inspections, it has been determined two culverts need to be replaced and two need to be extended to support the widened roadway and to ensure safe travel on Rutherford Road.
Are there any lane closures or reductions associated with this project?
- Four lanes are being maintained throughout the construction period during peak travel hours. To achieve this, lane width reductions will be in place and speed has been temporarily reduced in the construction area
- Lane reductions may be required to facilitate CN Railway bridge construction, intersection, and culvert work between 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- Traffic lanes will be shifting throughout construction during off-peak and peak hours
- Extended lane closure hours may be required to construct portions of the roadway safely
- York Region will provide advance notice whenever possible
Will there be any night work?
Night work may be required between 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to facilitate paving the roadway and pavement markings, storm sewer and culvert road crossing work, and CN Railway bridge construction.
Will there be any weekend work?
Work may be required on the weekends to expedite the construction work.
Will there be any work on statutory holidays?
Work may be required on statutory holidays to expedite the construction work.
Can pedestrians and cyclists still use the road?
Pedestrian access will be maintained on a minimum of one side of the road at all times. The existing sidewalk is discontinuous on Rutherford Road between Creditstone Road and Jane Street.
There are no existing bicycle facilities on Rutherford Road. Cyclists are to use the roadway in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act and/or boulevard(s) in accordance with Local By-laws.
To submit a comment, question or for more information, please contact @email
or call 1-877-464-9675.
Why are these improvements taking place?
- York Regional Council continues to invest and make transportation improvements a priority, outlined in the 10-year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program
- Roads are identified for improvements for a variety of reasons including enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists, managing assets in a state of good repair and improving traffic flow to accommodate population growth by adding new lanes or creating new roads
- To support the growing communities in Vaughan, construction is planned for over 20 locations in the next five years. These projects will include:
- Road reconstruction and widening
- New transit terminal connecting to the new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
- Intersection upgrades and improvements to enhance traffic operations
- Pavement repair, preservation and rehabilitation
- As York Region’s population and businesses grow, public roads are accommodating more travellers, goods and services
- Vaughan’s population is forecasted to grow from 316,000 in 2016 to 497,400 by 2041
- Vaughan’s employment is forecasted to grow from 209,200 jobs in 2016 to 321,500 jobs by 2041
- The travel growth in the area (daily trips to and from Vaughan) is forecasted to grow from 895,400 in 2016 to 1,315,700 by 2041, an 47% increase
- By expanding or upgrading infrastructure, we are ensuring we meet the needs of our growing communities now, rather than waiting until we run out of capacity
Why is this construction happening all at once?
- York Region has a 10-year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program which outlines infrastructure projects across the Region. Capital projects are undertaken to improve the community for all York Region residents
- While serving growth remains important, capital spending also focuses on asset management to extend the life of assets, such as roads and bridges, and reduce total costs over their life cycle. Over the next 10 years, $1.4 billion will go to rehabilitating and replacing existing assets. These investments help ensure that assets are in a state of good repair for current and future residents
- The Region and the City of Vaughan are investing in transportation improvements over the next five years to support the record growth in the area, the construction being completed by our partners and to maintain our roads in a state of good repair
- Infrastructure being constructed by the Region and our partners includes:
- Road widening and York Region Transit (YRT) bus terminal construction on Major Mackenzie Drive, from Highway 400 to Jane Street, with a direct benefit to the newly constructed Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
- Installation of water, wastewater and telecom infrastructure and planting street trees as part of road construction projects
- Infrastructure being constructed by the Region and our partners includes:
- The Region is addressing the growing needs of City of Vaughan residents, businesses and the travelling public, as traffic congestion is identified as the number one public concern in Vaughan
- To maximize as much work as possible, the majority of construction projects are completed in the warmer months when the ground is not frozen and temperatures for mixing and laying asphalt is ideal and traffic volumes are lower
Does York Region coordinate with other projects happening in the area?
Whenever possible, York Region coordinates with the City of Vaughan, developers, utility companies, Environmental Services and other agency infrastructure programs, including the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), Metrolinx, rail authorities, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation and York Telecom Network (YTN), when planning construction projects within the Region. Effective coordination may result in financial benefits and can help minimize impacting the public multiple times and reducing disruption to travellers
Due to the complexity and timing requirements of certain projects, it is sometimes not possible to avoid construction on adjacent or parallel roads
How are residents impacted by the project being informed?
- To help travellers plan ahead during road construction, we install advance signage, post messages on social media and our website, and distribute notices
- Travellers are encouraged to use traffic and navigation tools. York Region provides real-time traffic and road information in open data, used by many apps
- Find us on social media: @YorkRegionGovt
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