By Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction News staff writer
Labour Day may be the unofficial end to summer, but itโs far from the end of the busy construction season.
In York Region, Vaughan tops all municipalities with the most construction jobs currently underway, and transportation projects dominate the work.
According to the Capital Planning and Delivery department, York Region has committed โsignificant investmentsโ to the regional transportation network within Vaughan.
Heading into September, there were 21 active regional transportation projects, including construction projects, road rehabilitation and preservation, structure rehabilitation and intersection improvements. The multi-year cost of local work tops $170 million.
Add transportation projects initiated by other levels of government such as the extension of Highway 427, expansion of GO rail services,โ and the cost is much higher.
Work to expand and extend Highway 427 through York Region began in May last year and is to be finished by 2021. When complete, theย highway will stretch 6.6 kilometres from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive, and be widened to eightย lanes from Finch Avenue to Highway 7.
In June, King-Vaughan MPP Stephen Lecce announced construction of six-storey parking structure at Rutherford GO station with over 100 new spots for bicycles.
Meanwhile, roadwork also continues on Patterson Street from Davis Drive to norh of Elgin Street in Newmarket, as that town revamps an older neighbourhood with new water main and water services, and curbs and sidewalks.
Construction started in June 2019 and is expected to continue until winter 2019. Final asphalt will be applied in summer 2020. Work includingย connecting residents to the new water main; minor storm sewer repairs; removal and installation of new curbs and subdrains, sidewalks and traffic signs; driveway repairs and replacing sod will take place in the fall;
The budget for construction is about $4.3 million, with $1.45 million funded through a grant from Infrastructure Canadaโs Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.