Ontario Construction News staff writer
The province will allocate $12 million to expand the road from two to four lanes between Reesor Road in Markham and Brock Road in Pickering.
Funds will be used for preliminary design and environmental assessment work to widen the 10.4-kilometre stretch of Highway 7. The project also includes upgrades to local intersections and an expansion of the Little Rouge Creek bridge in Markham.
“As Durham and York Region continue to grow, our government is standing up for drivers to keep them moving and out of gridlock,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Widening Highway 7 is a milestone investment from Ontario’s 2024 Budget and another step in our government’s plan to build a better Ontario.”
An estimated 8,500 vehicles travel the stretch of Highway 7 from Reesor Road to Brock Road each day. By 2051, the Greater Golden Horseshoe’s population is expected to grow from 10 million to about 15 million and the government plans to spend more than $100 billion over the next decade on highways, roads, and public transit projects– the largest expansion in Ontario’s history.
“The expansion of Highway 7 brings more than just widened roads; it paves the way for enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and smoother commutes for residents and businesses alike,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “Pickering continues to see job growth, bigger paychecks, and a brighter future.”