City calls for Yonge Street alignment of Yonge North Subway Extension

municipalinfonet.com
July 7, 2021

In a recorded vote at the June 22 meeting of Vaughan Council, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council unanimously endorsed Ward 5 City Councillor Alan Shefman's Member's Resolution that recommends preferred subway route options and stations for the construction of the Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE). Council's position aligns with the City of Markham, as the subway extension's route north of Steeles travels along the border of the two municipalities.

While Vaughan Council has long advocated for the subway extension, it does not support Metrolinx's March 2021 Initial Business Case preferred option. This option calls for an alignment off Yonge Street, north of Royal Orchard, and no neighbourhood stations. The YNSE represents an approximate eight-kilometre extension of the subway from Finch Station to Richmond Hill. Vaughan Council supports either proposed options, which include: 

• Option 1: runs fully underground and includes five stations located at Cummer Avenue, Steeles Avenue, Clark Avenue, Langstaff Road, and the Richmond Hill Centre (RHC).
• Option 2: runs fully underground and includes four stations at Cummer Avenue, Steeles Avenue, Clark Avenue, and Bridge Street West (underground).

 

The City's support of the YNSE goes back to December 2013, when Council first affirmed its support for the future planning and funding of the YNSE with an initial Member's Resolution (PDF) from Councillor Shefman. Since that time, Councillor Shefman has worked closely with Richmond Hill and Markham Councillors whose wards border on Yonge Street to promote the building of the subway extension.

QUOTES

"The City of Vaughan has always supported the Yonge North Subway Extension. This integral transportation infrastructure project will have extensive benefits for Vaughan and all Greater Toronto Area (GTA) communities. Commuters in Vaughan, York Region and the GTA can expect increased access to transit and reduced travel times. This link will better connect our community to an expanding regional transportation network while driving economic opportunities along the Yonge Street corridor. We are experiencing first-hand the positive benefits of having a subway in the heart of our rapidly emerging downtown core, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC). The VMC Subway continues to be a catalyst for job creation, attracting investments and stimulating city-building opportunities. As our COVID-19 response efforts continue to evolve, the Yonge North Subway Extension will be an important part of our City's economic recovery."

- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

- Vice Chair, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation

"I am pleased that all Members of Council unanimously endorsed my Member's Resolution. It clearly establishes our support for the YNSE to be aligned on Yonge Street and calls for neighbourhood stations at Cummer, Clark, Royal Orchard and Langstaff. This important infrastructure project is required to address the critical transit needs of Vaughan and York Region. Everyone knows that subways are built for the long term - hundreds of years. This very costly and critical infrastructure project must be built to serve our communities along the best route possible."

- Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman

QUICK FACTS

• The YNSE project is targeted for completion between 2029-2030.
• In April 2019, the provincial government committed nearly $17 billion for the $28.5-billion subway program.
• In May 2021, the federal government committed $10.7 billion to support the delivery of Ontario's four priority subway projects, which include the YNSE.

 

LEARN MORE

• Metrolinx's Initial Business Case and supplementary analysis
• York Region Rapid Transit Corporation YNSE project website
• Mayor Bevilacqua's statement: York Region signs agreement with Province to advance the YNSE
• Councillor Shefman's Member's Resolutions on the Yonge North Subway Extension: Dec. 10, 2013, April 17, 2021 and June 22, 2021