Rutherford Road
City of Vaughan
Highway 400 to Westburne Drive
York Region is widening and improving Rutherford Road from Highway 400 to Westburne Drive to accommodate growth, ease congestion and create transportation options for all travellers.
Construction start: Summer 2021
Anticipated completion: Summer 2025
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 Updates
Rutherford Road from Westburne Drive/Barhill Road is expected to be completed to base asphalt by the end of 2024, except at the CN Rail bridge.
Widening and reconstruction of the CN Rail bridge and minor work, including streetscaping and tree planting is expected to be complete in summer/fall 2025 dependent on the ability to conduct work in the rail corridor.
Impacts to travellers
- Until fall 2024, lanes on Rutherford Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Tesma Way to Greenock Drive for culvert work on the south side of Rutherford Road. Lane reductions are necessary due to limited space to accommodate traffic lanes, the work zone and space for pedestrians.
Inclement weather and environmental permit constraints has delayed some work. The road is now expected to reopen to two lanes in each direction in fall 2024.
We thank City of Vaughan residents and travellers for their patience as we work to complete the culvert work as quickly as possible. - Work planned at other locations along Rutherford Road may require lane reductions during off-peak hours, Monday to Friday between 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Traffic lanes will be shifting throughout construction. Signage will be in place.
Completed Rutherford Road improvements
- Widened and reconstructed base layer of asphalt for sections between Keele Street to Westburne Drive/Barhill Road and Jane Street to Melville Avenue/Creditstone Road
- Improved intersections at Rutherford Road and Melville Avenue, and Rutherford Road and Barhill Road (north sides)
- Installed sidewalk and cycle track on the north side between Jane Street and Melville Avenue, and between Keele Street and Westburne Drive
- Replaced one culvert and extended two culverts
- Staff are monitoring traffic flow and adjusting signal timing within the project limits to keep traffic moving
What you can expect during the next phase of work
- Road widening and reconstruction from Melville Avenue to Keele Street
- Completing culvert replacement between Tesma Way and Greenock Drive; additional lane restrictions required to complete this work safely
- Continuing widening and reconstruction of Canada National (CN) Railway bridge, subject to CN operating rules
- Completing intersection improvements at Rutherford Road and Melville Avenue (south side)
- Installing permanent traffic signals, new street lighting, traffic islands and medians, and completing final paving and streetscaping
Challenges during the project
Culvert Replacement
- 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
- Inclement weather and heavy rainfall continues to delay work, as crews are not able to complete the necessary foundation work until water levels in the creek recede
- Work must comply with requirements from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that protect fish habitat. Work cannot be completed until water recedes and fish are not in the work zone
CN Bridge Replacement
- 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
- Continuous train operations and restrictions have not allowed the project to progress
- We are working with CN Rail on construction options and redesigning components
- There is a need to balance construction while keeping traffic moving through the project limits
- Anticipated bridge completion is now summer/fall 2025
Night work
There is no night work currently scheduled at this time.
There is another road project happening nearby. York Region is widening and improving Rutherford Road from Peter Rupert Avenue to Bathurst Street. For more information, visit the Vaughan Construction Projects page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What will the road look like when it is complete
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
Why would drivers not see workers?
Dependent on the section of road, you may not see workers because:
- Work is happening below the road elevation and work is away from driver line of sight at road level; at the CN bridge, work is currently at track level and at the culvert, work is at the watercourse level
- Work may not be happening on certain days due to inclement weather and even after the weather event, for example after a heavy rainfall, the contractor needs to wait until water recedes and things get dry
- Work may be happening at one end of the road and no work somewhere else due to scheduling of work activities/sub-contractors or sequencing of activities, for example waiting for concrete to cure
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.