April 14, 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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The big
announcement this week came from the Provincial Government regarding the subway expansion. I can tell you that our Mayor was smiling from ear-to-ear all week long!
Previous Provincial governments have made similar announcements and we still have no subway built or even under construction.
In order for development to continue in the Langstaff area (Highway 7 and Yonge Street), the subway must be built. No subway extension means limited development in the Langstaff area.
My questions at Regional Council this week were "how is this announcement any different than past announcements" and "how is this expansion being paid for". So far nobody seems to know.
I will start smiling once I know the funding model and once a shovel is finally in the ground.
Further comments from York Region Rapid Transit about this week's announcement can be found
here
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In this issue
- Transit, Transit, Transit
- You Ask, I Answer
- YSE Gets the Green Light
- Yonge Subway Extension Update
-
Transportation Public Meeting
- GO Transit
- R
egional Government Review
- Election Rebate Deadline
- Community Meetings and Events
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Looking for more information?
Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
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You Ask, I Answer
Question: There's lots of dirt, leaves and other debris still on my street. When is the City going to send their sweeper truck?
Answer: We can still have snow until the end of April. So you can expect street sweeping to start in late April or early May.
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This week there was a big announcement on transit infrastructure spending by the Provincial Government. They are seeking to expand and develop many new transit projects in the greater GTA and one of the announcements was the long anticipated
Yonge Subway Extension
into York Region.
At an estimated cost of $5.6 billion, this project when completed will be of benefit to residents in the area. While the numbers certainly are big, the expansion of the subway into York Region will have a big impact too. From the press release:
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- a cross-jurisdictional project spanning the City of Toronto, City of Markham, City of Vaughan and the City of Richmond Hill. It extends 7.4 kilometres north on Yonge Street from Finch Station to the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway Urban Growth Centre at Highway 7
- will include up to six stations, intermodal terminals and 2,000 commuter parking spaces
- eliminate the almost 2,500 bus trips per workday on Yonge Street between Highway 7 and Finch Station, giving commuters who drive between Toronto and York Region the chance to get out of traffic
- Toronto residents make over 189,700 trips per work day to York Region, and even more trips are southbound, supplying employees and customers to help Toronto's businesses thrive
- economic impact of this project is massive, potentially leading to the creation of more than 35,000 jobs and additional housing options for up to 88,000 residents. During construction it will create 21,800 person-years of employment
- Yonge Subway Extension is a critical part of the regional transportation plan. By extending the subway to Richmond Hill, we will create an anchor hub linking GO service, subway service, bus rapid transit and express service along Highway 407. This would provide commuters in both York Region and Toronto with more transit and transportation options.
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As the preliminary planning, design and engineering (PDE) phase progresses for the proposed Yonge Subway Extension, crews will begin geotechnical testing at two locations on Yonge Street.
During the PDE phase, work will take place at various locations along Yonge Street and some side streets from Finch Avenue to Highway 7.
The work is scheduled for approximately 2 weeks in April* and conducted between 7am – 7pm on Yonge Street between Long Road and Kirk Drive.
What you need to know:
- Crews will use a drill rig to bore holes and extract soil samples. At the end of each work day the roadway will be restored.
- There will be lane closures on Yonge through the work areas.
- There will be construction-related noise and dust from equipment and trucks.
- Please give yourself enough time to get to your destination, and remember to reduce your speed through the work zones.
* As with all infrastructure projects, some work may be re-scheduled due to weather and other variables.
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York Region Transportation Services is hosting a Public Engagement Forum in Markham on Monday, April 15, 2019, from 4:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the Aaniin Community Centre located at 5665 14th Avenue. This information session will help to build an innovative, reliable and customer based transportation system.
- York Region Transit service adjustments and initiatives for 2019 and 2020
- Electric Bus Pilot Program, transit technology and greening initiatives
- Traffic signal installations, timings, technology and safety features
- Active transportation initiatives and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists
- Current road maintenance and construction projects
- Future construction projects and plans
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There are also changes coming to the GO Transit system which will eventually mean all day 2 way GO service. While these changes are being rolled out on an ongoing basis, these changes will mean better service during the rush-hour, midday and even on the weekends.
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Metrolinx welcomes comments and you can get engaged at their
website
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Have your say...your input is requested
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The Provincial Government is seeking input on potential changes to how municipalities are governed. As noted in the last edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange,
the City of Markham is a part of York Region and there could be changes to both of these governments. The Province is reviewing 8 regional governments in total (including York Region) to determine if there should be changes made to how these regions are governed.
There is an opportunity for individuals and organizations in the City of Markham to provide input to the Provincial representatives conducting the regional governance review.
In the link below, there is more information on this review process and the 3 ways to participate in this review process:
- Speak in person in Newmarket on May 6
- Submit written comments by mail or email
- Complete an online survey before May 21
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This is a reminder to submit your rebate application to the City.
Who is eligible for a rebate?
- Donors who contribute $50 or more
- Residents of Ontario only
How to apply
The fine print
- the maximum rebate a donor may receive is $350
- donors are eligible for one rebate, regardless of how many campaigns they contributed to
- rebate cheques will be issued starting July 2019
- all details of the rebate program can be found here
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Community Meetings and Events
All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at
Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
. Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.
The calendar of York Region meetings is available
here.
You can listen to meetings on line. The details from past meetings are available online.
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to
dhamilton@markham.ca
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Working together to make Markham better!
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