Rutherford Road Improvements

At the end of this project, citizens can look forward to:

• A six-lane of road that will improve traffic flow 
• Updated intersections that meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements
• A multi-use path and a new sidewalk that provides more travel options for cyclists and pedestrians
• Updated streetlighting 
• Streetscape features within islands and boulevards

• There are no planned road closures for this project at this time

• Lane reductions may be required Monday to Friday between 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Lane closures will be required for the installation of new curbs and storm sewers

• There is no night work planned for this project at this time 
• York Region will provide advance notice whenever possible 

• All hard surface pathways will have a detour or alternate path during any removals for pedestrians and cyclists to use

• Regulatory agencies have been involved during the detailed design and tender of the project
• York Region only removes trees if absolutely necessary. Each year, York Region plants thousands of trees and maintains Regional forests to offset the removal of trees during construction projects

• 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

• 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
• 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

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

• Travellers will benefit from the additional roadway capacity to help alleviate congestion in the City of Vaughan 
• Improving the transportation network in Vaughan with more transit facilities
• Cycling and pedestrian facilities provide new opportunities for cyclists and commuters to use active forms of transportation to explore York Region. Bicycle facilities help in connecting the larger commuter and leisure cycling network
• Rehabilitating our roads ensures a safe commute for all road users
• With road widening projects, travellers will get extra lanes of the roadway in an otherwise traffic heavy area, easing congestion
• A new transit terminal and elevator pavilion, which will help connect travellers with the new hospital set to open along Major Mackenzie Drive
• Connections to the new 427 Highway extension to Highway 50 and Highway 27