New bike paths coming soon

Municipalinfonet.com
June 10, 2020

The City of Vaughan is installing 4.5-kilometres of bike paths on each side of Clark Avenue between Jason Street/David Lewis Drive and Yonge Street. Bicycle riders will be able to reach local destinations in a way that is practical, economical, fun and gentle on the environment. It will also further connect those who live, work and play within the Thornhill area.

The Clark Avenue Bike Path Project, managed by the City's Infrastructure Development portfolio, will build on the bike paths recently completed along Bathurst and Centre streets as part of the vivaNext rapidway. At the western limit, the bike paths will connect to one of the City's major trail systems, the Bartley Smith Greenway, which will form part of the future Vaughan Super Trail. At the eastern limit, the bike paths will connect to the Yonge/Steeles intensification corridor and future subway extension.

The paths will also include transit stop and intersection improvements as well as road rehabilitation and resurfacing to help pedestrians, bike riders and motorists get around comfortably. A portion of this work is being completed on behalf of York Region Transit at the New Westminster Drive, Bathurst Street and Hilda Avenue intersections to accommodate a future VIVA Orange Route expansion.

In addition, the City of Vaughan received a grant from the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling (OMCC) Program in 2017, as well as funding from York Region's portion of the OMCC and their Pedestrian and Cycling Municipal Partnership Program to help fund the installation of the paths.

Once complete, the paths will:

• Increase the amount of bike travel throughout the community
• Improve accessibility to schools, parks, libraries, community centres, places of worship and more within the Clark Avenue corridor
• Provide connections between the existing Bartley Smith Greenway Trail system and the Dufferin Street bike lanes to Yonge Street facilities and rapid transit

As Vaughan continues to grow, so does the volume of cars on the road. The City recognizes the need to develop creative, environmentally sustainable alternative methods of transportation to alleviate traffic and help protect the environment. In fact, the Vaughan Official Plan 2010 calls for a transportation transformation in how people move around Vaughan. The City continues to work toward this goal by establishing a comprehensive transportation network that allows a full range of mobility options, including walking, cycling and transit. The updated City of Vaughan 2019 Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan was approved in principle by Council in December 2019. Learn more at vaughan.ca/cycling.

The Clark Avenue Bike Path Project further aligns with the City's commitment to improve transportation and mobility, foster sustainable communities and create an active, safe and diverse city - all priorities outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. The paths are also helping the City to continue to be fully connected and integrated through initiatives that improve the municipal road network, support the development of transit and increase cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

Construction of these bike paths, road and transit improvements will take place from June 2020 to July 2021. For more information and project timelines, visit vaughan.ca/ClarkAve.